Singing Instrumentals by Neal Hefti and his Orchestra, released on Epic in 1958.

Hefti was one of the grooviest of the bigger band arrangers during the 50s – and thanks to Basie, and a few well-placed soundtracks, he had the chance to really experiment with some unusual combinations of material that proved to leave him with an incredible legacy. This album is a perfect showcase for Hefti's unusual talents, as it has him leading a nice little group of swing players (Charlie Barnet, Hank D'Amico, Lou McGarity, and others) in combination with the Ray Charles Singers, on a set of very groovy vocalese jazz tracks. At the record's best moments, the overall feel is sort of like Lambert, Hendricks, & Ross with Basie – as the group keep fairly in the "vocal instrumental" range, and solo wordlessly over the band's tight soulful rhythms. . - Dusty Groove

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrgoyhgDdmM&list=PLFMsAAosCRcv_oS3DwpW70Zo2n-LV259G&index=1

#nealhefti #bigband #50spop #swing #spaceagepop #raycharlessingers #charliebarnet

Singing Instrumentals by Neal Hefti And His Orchestra, released on Epic in 1956.

Hefti was one of the grooviest of the bigger band arrangers during the 50s – and thanks to Basie, and a few well-placed soundtracks, he had the chance to really experiment with some unusual combinations of material that proved to leave him with an incredible legacy. This album is a perfect showcase for Hefti's unusual talents, as it has him leading a nice little group of swing players (Charlie Barnet, Hank D'Amico, Lou McGarity, and others) in combination with the Ray Charles Singers, on a set of very groovy vocalese jazz tracks. At the record's best moments, the overall feel is sort of like Lambert, Hendricks, & Ross with Basie – as the group keep fairly in the "vocal instrumental" range, and solo wordlessly over the band's tight soulful rhythms. - Dusty Groove

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KlR-H7M9Tas&list=PLv3ovN9NPY0fetgua0fPLykUZTYXAN7A0&index=6

#nealhefti #bigband #swing #jazz #spaceagepop #raycharlessingers #vocalese