The Boss Brass has always featured some of the finest jazz-oriented session players from Toronto, Canada. Valve trombonist
Rob McConnell's swinging arrangements give the orchestra its own personality, as can be heard on this obscure Pausa LP, which was originally put out by the European MPS label. The band performs fresh versions of three swing-era standards (including "You Took Advantage of Me"), a lesser-known tune, and a couple of
McConnell originals, including "The Waltz I Blew for You." The key soloists include trumpeters
Guido Basso and Sam Noto, altoists Jerry Toth and
Moe Koffman, Rick Wilkins and Eugene Amaro on tenors, guitarist
Ed Bickert, and
McConnell (who is featured on "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes"). Worth searching for, as are virtually all of the recordings by this very consistent big band. ~ Scott Yanow