Three Classic Albums Plus: Showcase/Little Klunk/Jazz Inc.

Audio Remasterer: Dave Bennett .
Liner Note Authors: Keith Goodwin; Kenny Graham; Alun Morgan; Harry Klein; Simon Spillett.
Recording information: London (01/19/1955-05/03/2003).
Two of the three classic Stan Tracey album referenced on the cover of this double-disc set are Showcase, his debut album from 1958, and Little Klunk, which was his first to feature only his own compositions. Then things get murky. Jazz Inc., which is featured here in its entirety, was actually recorded by the Tony Crombie Orchestra, of which Tracey was a part. The other music here includes four tunes by Tracey's Quartet with Tubby Hayes, some selections from Tracey with the Harry Klein Quartet, and a few from his tenure as a sideman in yet another group led by American guitarist Jon Wheatley. The back sleeve has an interesting typo: it claims that Jazz Inc. is comprised of tracks 1-28 on disc two, but there are only 16 selections on the disc. In any case, there are completely new liner notes as well as reproductions of the originals, and a fine remastering job was done; all sold for a very respectable price tag. As an introduction to one of British jazz's great original voices, this is truly worthy. ~ Thom Jurek