The Rights of Swing

After touring as a member of the Quincy Jones Orchestra, Phil Woods put together an all-star sextet (including a number of other sideman who took part in Jones' band) to record an ambitious original suite. Woods, always a superb alto saxophonist, is in great shape throughout these sessions, interacting with baritone saxophonist Sahib Shihab (who is also heard on flute), trombonist Curtis Fuller, trumpeter Benny Bailey, and French horn player Julius Watkins. The rhythm section, with pianist Tommy Flanagan, bassist Buddy Catlett, and drummer Osie Johnson, is first-rate as well. Woods' arrangements are highlighted by some richly textured ensembles and excellent solos all around, though he has only sporadically written for bands with similar instrumentation in the decades since this recording. The wild final movement, "Part V (Presto)," was inspired in part by Igor Stravinsky's landmark ballet "The Rite of Spring," though it is hardly avant-garde in nature. Willie Dennis (trombone) and drummer Granville Roker (better known as Mickey Roker) take the places of Fuller and Johnson on the last track. But this Giants of Jazz reissue is of dubious origin, as it adds four selections from Benny Bailey's Candid album Big Brass, which was recorded a short time earlier and featured some of the same musicians. Anyone desiring both of these albums intact is advised to purchase the respective Candid CDs by Woods and Bailey and bypassing this compilation.