Neal Hefti is known for the tremendous number of originals that he composed and arranged for
Count Basie and
Woody Herman. But his output as a bandleader is rather uneven, especially this ill-advised big-band date that adds four male and four female singers. None of the lyrics contributed by
Steve Allen or
Jon Hendricks is particularly memorable, and the vocals are, at best, nondescript and transform the would-be jazz session into pop. The remaining numbers feature scat singing by the octet with the band. One strength of the record is the presence of outstanding players like trombonist
Frank Rehak, trumpeter
Ernie Royal, tenor saxophonist
Al Cohn, and especially alto saxophonist
Phil Woods, who is instantly recognizable. But even the presence of these greats can't overcome the presence of the bland, unnecessary singers.