This set, originally put out on Master Jazz and the Australian Swaggie label, features pianist
Jay McShann at the peak of his powers. Teamed up with a couple of fine swing tenors (
Buddy Tate, who doubles on clarinet, and Julian Dash), bassist Gene Ramey and drummer Gus Johnson,
McShann romps through some forgotten numbers from the book of his 1940s big band ("Say Forward, I'll March" and "Four Day Rider"), a few
Count Basie-associated tunes, and a couple of basic originals, taking two bluesy vocals. The set gives listeners a strong sampling of
Jay McShann's accessible and swinging music. ~ Scott Yanow