Dean Elliott And His Orchestra - Zounds! What Sounds! / The Hi Fi Sound of...

"Back in the early days of stereo albums, there were records that were simply made to "show off" the quality of your sound system. This disc is exhibit A and B for what engineers were trying to achieve in attempting to bring an entire jazz orchestra into your room. This music itself is a real treat as well.

Dean Elliott was sort of like the Brian Eno of his day in the sense that he liked to add all of these peculiar electric-sounding and atmospheric effects to create an experimental sense to the big band charts. The musicians in the 1956 and 1962 sessions are top notch, including Bud Shank/as, Bob Cooper/ts, Alvin Stoller/dr, Ted Nash/fl, and Don Fagerquist/tp. Some of the pieces such as "Fine and Dandy" or "A Gal In Calico" actually have a hint of Nelson Riddle, while you get some vo-cool voices on "I've Had My Moments". There are some pulses that sound synthesized on "Baubles, Bangles and Beads" and intriguing sound effects on "It's All Right With Me" and "They Didn't Believe Me" as well as some Middle Eastern nuances on "Say It With Your Eyes". [Jazz Weekly]