by Scott Yanow
This LP has two separate sessions that perhaps was supposed to bridge the gap between the past and the present; in this case the past definitely wins. On four songs (three swing standards plus Lionel Hampton's "Ham Hock Blues"), drummer Buddy Rich has fun jamming with vibraphonist Hampton, pianist Teddy Wilson, tenor-saxophonist Zoot Sims and bassist George Duvivier. Nothing all that significant occurs but these versions of "Avalon," "Airmail Special" and "Ring Dem Bells" are fun. However the second session, which has Rich and Hampton playing two forgettable funk originals with a larger group featuring Sal Nistico on tenor, guitarist Jack Wilkins and Joe Romano's soprano, is much less interesting, making this album definitely a mixed bag.