Artistry in Rhythm [Dutton Vocalion]

• Artist: Stan Kenton and His Orchestra
• Rating:
• Release Date: September 12, 2000
• Total Time: 72:32
• Type: Compilation (best of)
• Genre: Jazz

Review

Great Britain's Dutton Vocalion reissue label presents 25 recordings by the Stan Kenton orchestra dating from his early years with Capitol: 1943-1946. The album cover reproduces the original 78 rpm packaging stamped with the promise of "the original 78 rpm versions," indicating that the performances heard on this collection are remastered first editions rather than remakes from the late '40s or early '50s. Kenton's conspicuously stylized approach to big band jazz sometimes resulted in worthy episodes with excellent contributions from young innovators like Art Pepper, who blows his alto sax on "Eager Beaver," "Harlem Folk Dance" and "Artistry in Rhythm." Other equally gifted but also similarly strung out individuals who drifted through the band during this period were tenorman Stan Getz and vocalist Anita O'Day, represented here solely by her big Kenton hit "And Her Tears Flowed Like Wine." Most of the vocals on this collection are by June Christy, a capable singer who, however, was forced to perform with a team of loudmouths including Kenton himself on the staggeringly stupid and embarrassingly corny "I Been Down in Texas." This one seems to deserve the "most regrettable and forgettable Kenton record of all time" award. The best moments of uncontrived "artistry" occur during Pete Rugolo's "Safranski (Artistry in Bass)," which was possibly the best solo feature ever granted to Eddie Safranski during his entire career; "Painted Rhythm," which feels and sounds like a successful imitation of Duke Ellington, and the exciting "Capitol Punishment," a wild ride for tenorman Boots Mussulli that runs for only two minutes. These examples of the Kenton band at its very finest suffer just a bit when placed in historical context among some of the lesser material on this disc. ~ arwulf arwulf, Rovi

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