Leonard Feather & Dick Hyman With His East Coast All Stars - Leonard Feather & Dick Hyman with His East Coast All Stars (Remastered) (2024) [Hi-Res]

This musical journey features four captivating East Coast All Stars jazz ensembles, guided in collaboration by the talented Leonard Feather and Dick Hyman, who, through their compositions and arrangements, present a diverse repertoire brimming with stimulating solos.

The first session highlights a six-piece unit, boasting a front line drawn entirely from the Count Basie band: Thad Jones, Benny Powell, and Frank Wess. From the rhythmic vitality of “The Goof ‘n’ I” to the refined elegance of “Beverly Hills” and the timeless charm of “The Sidewalks of New York,” each track exemplifies the ensemble’s cohesion and the creativity of soloists.

Delving into the “Hi-Fi Suite,” Feather and Hyman lead two nine-piece orchestras on a sonic exploration. With contributions from Joe Newman, Jerome Richardson, Benny Powell, and Don Elliot, the orchestrations offer a captivating blend of textures and tones, with various reed instruments providing a fascinating display of soundscapes, from the inventive “Feedback Fugue” to the lively “Squawker” and the flavorful “Hi-Fi Pie.”

The subsequent line-up showcases the rhythmic intricacies of “Bass-Reflex,” the melodic allure of “Tweeter,” the resonant depths of “Woofer,” and the ethereal beauty of “Reverberation.” Here, Thad Jones, Benny Powell, Oscar Pettiford, Jerome Richardson, Frank Wess, and Bill Barber deliver compelling solo performances.

Concluding this set, the fourth All Stars band presents a dynamic rendition of Jay Livingston’s “Keep It Simple,” arranged by Dick Hyman. Featuring all horns in a captivating six-minute workout, the ensemble’s virtuosity shines through, offering a fitting conclusion to this exciting musical journey.

—Jordi Pujol