AMG Review of Duke's Men: Small Groups, Vol. 2

Ron Wynn
All Music Guide

Columbia/Legacy continued its Duke Ellington overview with a two-disc set featuring 43 recordings from 1938 and 1939 spotlighting breakout groups from the Ellington Orchestra. Although others were ostensibly heading these aggregations, Ellington was still aboard on piano, either writing the material, conducting it or influencing it with subtle, yet declarative voicings and his personality. Johnny Hodges & His Orchestra, Cootie Williams & His Rug Cutters, and Rex Stewart & His Fifty-Second Street Stompers were the three organizations spotlighted. These are rousing stompers, delightful ballads, period pieces and mostly first-rate numbers. The mastering featured the Cedar no-noise system, and the liners are comprehensive and authoritative.