by Scott Yanow
Although the title of this reissue is not necessarily accurate (Buddy Rich's 1966 big band was a stronger unit), this is a high-quality jazz album. Rich surprisingly does not solo much (just on Chick Corea's &Fiesta&) but the material is strong, the arrangements (by Mike Abene, Frank Perowsky, Tom Boros, Barry Keiner and Barry Mintzer) are colorful, and the soloists are excellent. The 15-piece Buddy Rich big band features Steve Marcus on tenor and soprano, Gary Bribek on tenor, pianist Barry Keiner and trumpeter Dean Pratt and the songs include inventive versions of &Birdland,& &Bouncin' with Bud& and Horace Silver's &Cape Verdean Blues.& The only weak point to this set is that the playing time is only around 40 minutes since this is a straight reissue of a former LP. Recommended.