Flip Phillips - A Melody from the Sky (1984) 320kbps

This CD is a straight reissue of a Flying Dutchman LP and features all four of tenor saxophonist Flip Phillips' recording sessions as a leader prior to 1949. At the time, he was a key member of Woody Herman & the First Herd, and these performances have short solos from other Herman sidemen (including trombonist Bill Harris and Neal Hefti on trumpet), although Phillips is the main star. His jumping tenor was already quite distinctive, whether on romps or ballads. "Sweet and Lovely" and "Stompin' at the Savoy" are high points of this definitive early Flip Phillips set. ~ Scott Yanow

Personnel: Flip Phillips (tenor saxophone); Billy Bauer (guitar); Bill Shine, Aaron Sachs (clarinet); Sam Marowitz (alto saxophone); Mickey Folus , Pete Mondello (tenor saxophone); Sam Rubinwich (baritone saxophone); Neal Hefti (trumpet); Bill Harris (trombone); Tony Aless, Ralph Burns (piano); Margie Hyams (vibraphone); Dave Tough, Shelly Manne (drums).