While the original six-LP box set correctly reissued all of
Lionel Hampton
's 1937-41 small-group recordings as a leader, the CD reissue program has been rather erratic, dividing up some of these selections in almost random fashion between three CDs, often splitting up sessions between a pair of discs. The first of these three CDs is the strongest, highlighted by
"On the Sunny Side of the Street"
(featuring altoist
Johnny Hodges
), "I'm Confessin'" with trumpeter
Jonah Jones
, and the four master takes from a date with
Coleman Hawkins
,
Chu Berry
Ben Webster
Benny Carter
and a young
Dizzy Gillespie
. Great music but dumb programming. ~ Scott Yanow