Lake Records' excavation of the Denis Preston/Record Supervision Ltd catalog continues apace, with this sensational repackaging of one of Humphrey Lyttelton's best-loved (and, at the time, most eagerly anticipated) albums. Almost seven-years before, in 1954, Lyttelton recorded his first ever live album at the Conway Hall in London's Red Lion Square -- released as Humph at the Conway, it stands as one of the era's most enjoyable records, but it was also very much a child of its own time. By 1961, much had changed: a new band, a new approach, a new instrumental lineup and a newfound appreciation for kicking the old trad rules into touch, and blasting out a 'freer' form (if not exactly free form) jazz instead. For many fans, Humph Returns to the Conway was their first exposure to this latest Lyttelton, and period reviewers reacted with shock and dismay. The album stands up well today, though, both in its original ten-song form, and when appended by seven bonus tracks, drawn from the (otherwise unavailable) Humph Plays the Standards album. ~ Dave Thompson, All Music Guide
