The Complete Verve Johnny Hodges Small Group Sessions 1956-61

Couldn't afford the entire box set so I found this 2 CD used offering. Wow! I figured that the Verve recordings would be good because everything on that label was the real deal, no overproduction, just great bare bones jazz. I love this era and I love the sound of Johnny Hodges, I can see why women melted when he played. Sultry, has been used to describe his style. Maybe someday I'll spring for the entire boxed set. I'm sure it will be worth it if these two CD's are any indication.

Rather than describing the obvious that this is among the best in all aspects (my subject title says it clearly), I shared someone else's opinion below toward the bottom.Quality of compositions: 4.7 out of 5Performance of musicians: 5 out of 5Sound: 4.8 out of 5I DO NOT prefer the downloads from Amazon as they lack in quality which is clearly audible. Their mp3s transfer is only at about 192Kb/s which is only about one eighth of a CDs..... In fact 99% of downloads from any website out there are very poor quality so if you prefer to hear everything get the CDs and rip into highest quality settings of WAV or AIFF.Below is a description/review about this Hodges Mosaic box set from AllMusic guide.'Johnny Hodges was Duke Ellington's most important soloist, so when the alto saxophonist returned to his former employer in the fall of 1955 after leading his own band for just over four and a half years, he had Ellington's approval to record under his own name for Verve on a steady basis. This limited-edition box set collects all of Hodges' small-group sessions recorded for Verve between 1956 and 1961 (excepting some selections whose masters were lost), often with a number of sidemen on loan from Ellington. The leader's chops are best exhibited in the ballads and blues features, though his originals merit attention, too. Hodges hardly hogs the spotlight; he obviously takes his share of solos but generously features his guests and associates from the Ellington band. A nonet with Clark Terry, Ray Nance, Quentin Jackson, Jimmy Hamilton, Harry Carney, Billy Strayhorn, Jimmy Woode, and Sam Woodyard is easily the best all-around session within this compilation, with many fine tracks. The humorous "Just Squeeze Me," with Nance's hip vocals complemented by Terry's talkative horn in the background, as well as a surprising extended workout of "Take the 'A' Train," with Terry taking over the famous solo spotlight that Nance first recorded in 1941 (heard on flügelhorn) and followed by Nance on his swinging violin, are among its highlights. Some of the other veterans appearing in this collection include Roy Eldridge, Vic Dickenson, Ben Webster, and Herb Ellis. The atmosphere of each session is friendly and swinging, with the feeling that each take came together quickly, whether or not that was actually the case. While Johnny Hodges' recordings as a leader from this period never rivaled Duke Ellington's in either sales or critical acclaim, they proved to be consistently enjoyable and able to stand the test of time. The set includes 30 previously unissued tracks. The detailed liner notes and discography, along with the numerous photos, also help to make The Complete Verve Johnny Hodges Small Group Sessions 1956-1961 an essential purchase for swing fans, though it is a limited edition of just 7,500, so it is guaranteed to soar in value.'

Really filled with some great jazz,Hodges is truly on of the great Sax players out there. One thing though this does not have Back to Back or Side by Side with Duke Ellington which were small group recordings on Verve. The booklet says the tapes were not available.