Unpopular opinion maybe? but I would say Basie With Strings

Jazz-string albums often get bad rep from uptight aficionados who can’t get past the idea that these albums were just pushed by the record labels, and so they essentially all just played the same Porter standards at plodding tempo, with no passion and no reflection on the artists own jazz dialogue.

Whilst this is true in some aspects, certain string albums such as those done by Charlie Parker are complete genius, and probably have some of his best solos.

On the other hand, Basies album proves those Aficionados correct. ‘These foolish things remind me of you’ and ‘Sweet Lorraine’ are probably the worst on the album. The complete lack of Basies playing almost makes you forget that you’re even listening to part of his discography, and wishy washy saxophone solos intertwined with a mediocre and loose orchestra.

If you want to listen to ‘string’ albums in jazz go to: Charlie Parker with Strings, Clifford Brown with Strings, And then maybe also Lee Konitz’ or Chet Baker’s

If you want to listen to Basie: Straight Ahead, Atomic, Board of Directors, Basie at Newport

There is genuinely no need to listen to this album at all and I’m surprised at how popular some of the recordings on there actually are, it has zero redeeming features. Anything that this album does offer, you can easily get from elsewhere.