This exciting CD catches Basie"s so called "Atomic Band" at it"s peak during one of the Count"s many European tours of the 50"s/60"s. A team of arrangers headed by Neal Hefti, Ernie Wilkins and Johnny Mandel were vital elements in the success of this amazing unit in which the whole band breathed as one man. Latter day Basie classics such as Shiny Stockings, The Midgets, Whirly Bird and The Deacon sit easily with Ol" Man River, Basie Boogie and a rare outing for Duke Ellington"s masterpiece In A Mellotone.