0182 Don Rendell [Playtime] FLAC 10(43.38)

Contributed by delmonico

The leader did most of the writing for this group but there is plenty of material by the sidemen too, both compositions and arrangements. The group cohesion is exceptional in the ensemble passages and the soloing is of a high standard throughout. BJ
"This is the best record by the best of Don Rendell's bands. Unfortunately the group is no longer in existence and its absence from the local round of club dates has been regrettable in the extreme. If it is possible to produce an identifiably British style of jazz which is at once fresh, inventive, swinging and tasteful, then the music heard here is perhaps the best answer to the problem. Never vulgar or insincere, it is nevertheless virile and ideally suited to the performers. An important factor is that the arrangements were written by members of the band, each man being familiar with the capabilities and temperaments of his fellows. Bert Courtley's Packet Of Blues is a case in point, with the group providing an ideal setting for Bert's Clark Terry-like trumpet. (A beautifully played accelerando passage by the full ensemble is a particularly noteworthy part of the arrangement.) Don is his usual consistent self, his control exemplary and his use of dynamics always intelligently interpolated. Ronnie Ross plays excellent baritone on most of the tracks, but he takes a good alto solo on This Can't Be Love. Eddie Harvey performs on valve trombone and piano with equal facility. Bass player Pete Blannin and drummer Andy White (the most suitable drummer to have played with Rendell since the departure of Don Lawson) complete the personnel. The informative sleeve notes are by the leader."
Gramophone October 1958

Bert Courtley - trumpet
Eddie Harvey - valve trombone (01-04 06-10), piano (01-08)
Ronnie Ross - alto (04 08 09), baritone (01-03 05-07 09 10)
Don Rendell - tenor
Pete Blannin - bass
Andy White - drums

01 Hit The Road To Dreamland (Arlen, Mercer) (4:44)
02 Packet Of Blues (Courtley) (5:38)
03 My Friend Tom (Rendell) (4:12)
04 It's Playtime (Rendell) (3:51)
05 Tickle Toe (Young) (3:11)
06 The Lady Is A Tramp (Rodgers, Hart) (5:11)
07 Dolly Mixture (Ross) (4:24)
08 This Can't Be Love (Rodgers, Hart) (3:40)
09 By-Pass (Harvey) (4:06)
10 Johnny Come Lately (Strayhorn) (3:49)

Label: Decca LK4265 DFE6501 Vocalion 4284
Recorded: March 13 (01-04 06-08 10) 14 (05 09) 1958
Lineage: CD>FLAC