by Scott Yanow
This two-LP set (put out in 1975) combines together a pair of arranger Gil Evans's greatest sessions. Both New Bottles Old Wine and Great Jazz Standards were reissued for a period on CD before also going out-of-print. The former session features altoist Cannonball Adderley in peak form as the main soloist on such tunes as &St. Louis Blues,& &Struttin' with Some Barbeque,& &Lester Leaps In,& &Manteca& and a classic reworking of Jelly Roll Morton's &King Porter Stomp&; other soloists include trombonist Frank Rehak, trumpeter Johnny Coles and Evans himself on piano. The second date, highlighted by a very memorable rendition of &Straight No Chaser,& also has &Davenport Blues,& &Joy Spring& and &Django& among the highlights; key soloists include trumpeter Johnny Coles, Steve Lacy on soprano and tenorman Budd Johnson. Essential music.