- Artist: Phil Nimmons
- Rating:
- Release Date: September 23, 2003
- Type: Compilation (best of)
- Genre: Jazz
Review
Clarinetist/arranger Phil Nimmons led one of the most important jazz groups in Canada during 1953-1977, which by 1958 was known as Nimmons 'n' Nine. This two-CD set contains previously unreleased material recorded as radio transcriptions and/or broadcasts during 1959-1964, with 16 of the 21 selections being from 1963-1964. The leader's arrangements and the sound of the ten-piece group in general are reminiscent of Gerry Mulligan's Concert Jazz Band, with cool tones and restrained solos that are full of inner heat. The pianoless group is a bit unusual in that it includes Vic Centro on accordion, who takes occasional solos and adds to the fullness of the ensembles. Nimmons wrote all but three of the selections, contributed all of the arrangements, and took some solos. Best known among the sidemen are guitarist Ed Bickert (who is fairly well featured) and tenor saxophonist Rick Wilkins; the latter is on four numbers. Bickert and Wilkins would become members in the future of Rob McConnell & the Boss Brass. Other key soloists include altoist Jerry Toth, tenor saxophonist Roy Smith, trombonist Butch Watanabe, and trumpeter Erich Traugott. Nimmons' band sometimes sounds like an orchestra, while retaining the looseness of a combo. This two-fer is highly recommended, featuring some of Phil Nimmons' very best work from the period. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music GuideTracks
CD 1
| Track Title | Composers | Performers | Time |
| I Love to Play | Phil Nimmons | Phil Nimmons | (:54) |
| One Love Song | Phil Nimmons | Phil Nimmons | (6:52) |
| Blues for Someone Else | Phil Nimmons | Phil Nimmons | (5:51) |
| Exactly Like Jerry Smith | Phil Nimmons | Phil Nimmons | (8:22) |
| Squits | Phil Nimmons | Phil Nimmons | (4:24) |
| Twooch | Phil Nimmons | Phil Nimmons | (9:15) |
| Not Soon Enough | Phil Nimmons | Phil Nimmons | (5:32) |
| Bass-ically Yours | Phil Nimmons | Phil Nimmons | (5:19) |
| One for Mr. 'B' | Phil Nimmons | Phil Nimmons | (6:43) |
| Sneaky | Phil Nimmons | Phil Nimmons | (10:54) |
CD 2
| Track Title | Composers | Performers | Time |
| Peaches and Brandy | Phil Nimmons | Phil Nimmons | (6:01) |
| Dig | Phil Nimmons | Phil Nimmons | (7:00) |
| Goodbye | Gordon Jenkins | Phil Nimmons | (8:02) |
| One 'O' Nine | Phil Nimmons | Phil Nimmons | (6:53) |
| The Getaway | Phil Nimmons | Phil Nimmons | (6:27) |
| Too Late Now | Alan Jay Lerner, Burton Lane | Phil Nimmons | (5:59) |
| I Told You So | Phil Nimmons | Phil Nimmons | (7:28) |
| Sku-Ba-Doo | Phil Nimmons | Phil Nimmons | (7:19) |
| Lush Life | Billy Strayhorn | Phil Nimmons | (4:01) |
| Back on the Bus | Phil Nimmons | Phil Nimmons | (3:46) |
| Kicks | Phil Nimmons | Phil Nimmons | (4:19) |
