One of the pieces on this album is called “The Blues Machine,” which could stand as a description of the big band Count Basie operated for half a century. In the 1983 edition, Basie molded the talents of a mixture of veterans and relative youngsters to produce the immediately identifiable Basie sound and spirit.

Sam Nestico’s arrangements, so vital to the band in Basie’s final years, are featured on four tracks. On the remaining two, Basie heads up a small unit with saxophonists Chris Woods and Kenny King, the rapidly developing young trumpeter Bob Summers, and guitar wizard Joe Pass. At the27th Grammy Awards, Count Basie won theGrammy Award for Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, Big Bandfor88 Basie Street.

180-gram vinyl
Mastered by Kevin Gray from the original analog master tape
Pressed at Quality Record Pressings
Housed in Stoughton Printing tip-on single pocket jacket

Label: Analogue Productions / Pablo Records
Series: The Pablo Series
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Stereo, 180grams
Country: US
Reissued: 2024 / Original Release: 1984
Genre: Jazz
Style: Big Band, Swing

File under: Audiophile Jazz