Buddy Rich, the most remarkable drummer to ever play jazz, can
easily have his career divided into three. During 1937-1945 he was a
notable sideman with big bands including those of Bunny Berigan, Artie
Shaw, and Tommy Dorsey. In 1966 he formed his own successful orchestra
that capitulated him to his greatest fame. During the 20 years in
between, Rich led short-lived bebop big bands, a variety of combos,
toured with Jazz at the Philharmonic, recorded with all-star groups, and
had stints with the orchestras of Dorsey and Harry James. This seven-CD
set draws its material from Rich's second period and it can also be
divided into two. The first half has Rich recording for producer Norman
Granz in a variety of combos. Rich interacts with trumpeter Harry
"Sweets" Edison in a pair of octets (with Benny Carter or Willie Smith
on altos), a quintet with altoist Sonny Criss, a Basie-oriented big
band, and another quintet with pianist Jimmy Rowles. Edison is in peak
form throughout. In addition, Rich heads an octet that has four of Count
Basie's sidemen of the time (trumpeters Thad Jones and Joe Newman,
tenor saxophonist Frank Wess, and rhythm guitarist Freddie Green) plus
tenor great Ben Webster, the remarkable pianist Oscar Peterson, and
bassist Ray Brown. A live quartet outing with the exciting tenor Flip
Phillips acts as a bridge to the Emarcy and Argo recordings of Rich's
working bands of 1960-1961. A septet arranged by Ernie Wilkins
introduces vibraphonist Mike Mainieri, who is also heard with Rich in a
sextet with flutist Sam Most, and a group with Most and trumpeter Rolf
Ericson. One date with the Most-Mainieri lineup was released for the
first time with this box. While Rich has his share of solo space
throughout, playing ridiculously virtuosic solos, this swinging music
contains much more than just drum solos, with all of the key principals
being well featured. This limited-edition box set, which leaves out
Rich's four vocal albums of the period (he does take a lone vocal on
"Bongo, Bass and Guitar"), a collaboration with fellow drummer Max
Roach, and a pair of big-band dates (including one co-led by Gene
Krupa), has virtually everything else that Rich recorded as a leader
during 1950-1965. Highly recommended and (as is typical for Mosaic)
perfectly conceived.
