Clarke-Boland Big Band

These two very different jazz dates from the Atlantic vaults have been reissued by Collectables on a single disc. Both contain enjoyable late-'50s, early-'60s sessions led by Jimmy Giuffre and Francy Boland with Kenny Clarke. The Boland/Clarke album from 1962 contains six tracks of big band charts, four written by Boland and fueled throughout by the powerhouse drumming of Clarke, whose "Sonor" is a highlight. By comparison, the 1958 Giuffre trio date is sedate, with trombonist Bob Brookmeyer and guitarist Jim Hall on the Giuffre-penned "Western Suite" (in four movements!), "Topsy," and Thelonious Monk's "Blue Monk." While being a bit unclear as to the haphazard way these two sessions ended up reissued on the same disc, both albums stand on their own individual merits and are welcome reissues. ~ Al Campbell, All Music Guide