The Chico Hamilton Quintetin the first of the two albums includedreshapes elevenpieces of the popular Broadway show South Pacific into new patterns of sound andrhythm. Chico explained that they had kept the jazz sounds wherever we felt there shouldbe jazz. The tunes were extremely difficult to arrange because the majority were bothgood and simple; one of the hardest things in music is to retain simplicity. Thearrangements of Paul Horn, Hal Gaylor, John Pisano, Carson Smith and Calvin Jackson leftus one of the happiest renditions of this show. On the second album, the original Hamiltonquintet, plus Paul Horn, reunited to play a fine collection of Ellington originals with theunderstanding and rare perspicacity only they could provide. The group operates entirelywithin a flexible framework, provided by Carson Smiths arrangements. The men are allhighly capable, and the solo work is very good. Buddy Collettes tenor and Jim Halls lucidguitar are great assets to this set. Ellingtons subject matter, combined with Hamiltonsbrilliant colors, produced a set that is as delightful as it is intriguing. All the music you willfind here is attractive and very much alive; you have two fabulous groups led by Hamiltonto thank for it.