Lambert Hendricks & Ross mastered the art of vocal bebop and the Jon Hendricks classic "Everybody's Boppin'" proves the point with its frantic tempo and the fast swing groove underneath. A vocal jazz tour-de-force! "Birdland" is a quintessential jazz classic with lyrics by the incomparable Jon Hendricks in a funky fusion setting by noted arranger Paris Rutherford. A perfect showcase for vocal jazz groups! Darmon Meader's arrangement of "Charleston Alley" pays tribute to Lambert, Hendricks & Ross, as well as Charlie Barnet, while expanding the voicings, and also placing the song in a much more "SATB-friendly" key. This arrangement is a great introduction to the classic vocalese style of Lambert, Hendricks & Ross, and will work well for most medium to advanced vocal jazz groups.

Songlist: Charleston Alley, Birdland, Everybody's Boppin', Desafinado (Slightly Out of Tune)

Of course, Lambert Hendricks and Ross are no longer new, though they were the epitome of cool jazz in the 1950's. This re-issued double CD set contains a career retrospective - 39 songs worth, though not everything that was on the (unfortunately) discontinued "Twisted" CD - and is a fabulous value. The three personalities of Dave Lambert, Jon Hendricks and the British Annie Ross complimented and balanced each other uniquely, pushing the jazz envelope, while always retaining their warmth and sensuality. Accompanied by a rhythm combo, and sometimes horns, songs such as "Caravan," "Moanin'" and "Centerpiece" are just as vital now as they ever were. Highly recommended.

Songlist: Disc 1:, Charleston Alley, Moanin', Twisted, Bijou, Cloudburst, Canterpiece, Gimme That Wine, Sermonette, Mummertime, Everybody's Boppin', Disc 2:, Cottontail, All Too Soon, Happy Anatomy, Rocks in my Bed, Main Stem, I Don't Know What Kind of Blues I've Got, Things Ain't What They Used to Be, Midnight Indigo, What Am I Here For?, In a Mellow Tone, Caravan, Disc 3:, Come On Home, The New A B C, Farmer's Market, Cookin' at the Continental, With Malice Toward Nono, Hi-Fly, and more