The Thad Jones/Mel Lewis big band was one of the finest jazz orchestras of the late '60s, but its Solid State LPs had been long out of print for decades before Mosaic wisely reissued all of the music (plus seven previously unissued performances) on this deluxe but limited-edition five-CD set. With Jones' colorful and distinctive arrangements, soloists such as trumpeters Danny Stiles, Marvin Stamm, and Richard Williams; trombonists Bob Brookmeyer and Jimmy Knepper; the reeds of Jerome Richardson, Jerry Dodgion, Joe Farrell, Billy Harper, Eddie Daniels, and Pepper Adams; and pianists Hank Jones and Roland Hanna; plus a rhythm section driven by bassist Richard Davis and drummer Mel Lewis, this was a classic band. Highlights among the 42 performances include "Mean What You Say," "Don't Git Sassy," "Tiptoe," "Fingers," "Central Park North," and the original version of "A Child Is Born," but nearly every selection is memorable.
CD1
01. ABC Blues (12:57)
02. Kids Are Pretty People (5:47)
03. Don't Ever Leave Me (4:35)
04. Once Around (5:27)
05. Three and One (5:48)
06. Balanced Scales = Justice (5:01)
07. Willow Weep for Me (5:37)
08. Mean What You Say (5:30)
09. Sophisticated Lady (2:55)
10. Willow Tree (3:55)
11. Hawaii (2:31)
CD2
01. The Little Pixie (10:33)
02. A-That's Freedom (7:03)
03. The Second Race (9:39)
04. Willow Tree (5:05)
05. Quietude (4:49)
06. Bachafillen (7:09)
07. Lover Man (4:54)
08. Mornin' Reverend (4:05)
CD3
01. Samba con Getchu (12:17)
02. Willow Tree (alternate take) (4:49)
03. Don't Git Sassy (7:22)
04. Say It Softly (6:48)
05. Mornin' Reverend (4:55)
06. Kids Are Pretty People (6:06)
07. The Second Race (7:21)
CD4
01. St. Louis Blues (12:42)
02. The Waltz You Swang for Me (5:30)
03. Central Park North (9:17)
04. Jive Samba (8:54)
05. Quietude (4:06)
06. Big Dipper (5:54)
07. Tow Away Zone (4:31)
08. The Groove Merchant (5:12)
CD5
01. Consummation (5:12)
02. Dedication (5:14)
03. Tiptoe (6:41)
04. It Only Happens Every Time (3:07)
05. Fingers (10:39)
06. Us (3:37)
07. A Child Is Born (4:09)
08. Ahunk Ahunk (7:58)
