The wise choice by some executive to reissue material from the old Bethlehem Label is bringing out some wonderfully obscure albums from the mid 50s that deserve a second and third look. These were the days when artists from the Kenton and Herman band made some nice cash by working in the TV and movie studios by providing soundtracks for shows ranging from Leave it To Beaver to You Bet Your Life. Here are five albums from the best of the studio rats.
Trumpeter Conte Condoli was one of the hottest white blowers in the land back in the Ike days, playing with bands lead by Gillespie, Herman, Goodman and Kenton. Here, he’s on a cooking little quartet session with Stan Levey/dr, Max Bennett/b and Claude Williamson/p, and they show their collective muscle on boilers like 
“Fine & Dandy” and “I’ll Remember April.” Big and brassy in tone, he does some nice work with lyrical yet energetic readings of “I Can’t Get Started” and “They Can’t Take That Away From Me.” Sparks fly for the whole session.
Talking about obscure! This just might be the only album available right now that features the hotter than cool sounds of Peggy Connolly, who made a bigger name as an actress and the wife of Dick Martin. She’s supported by Russ Garcia’s orchestra which includes all stars Pete Candoli/tp, Charlie Mariano/as, Bill Holman/tx and Jimmy Giuffre/bs among others. Her delivery is impeccable, as is her enunciation and she delivers an inviting intro to “It Never Entered My Mind” as well as an aria of “Ev’ry Time We Say Goodbye.” 
Upbeat and perky, she wins you over with her enthusiasm. A real find!
Famed arranger Russ Garcia puts together a band with four, count ‘em, four trombones as the front line, which include the surprise of Maynard Ferguson along with Frank Rosolino, Herbie Harper and Tommy Pederson along with a snappy rhythm team of Stan LEvey/dr, Red Mitchell/dr (what is he, 9 years old here?) and Marty Paich/p, with Dick Houlgate who balances the brass with his bari sax. The rich ‘bone harmonies on “But Beautiful” and “Dancing on the Ceiling” are as thick and stimulating as Irish coffee, and the take of “Lush Life” is clever and original. The sliders are also able to swing as a team, with “Lover, Come Back to Me” and “Limehouse Blues” as nimble as Astaire.
Frank Rosolino is featured on a quartet session with bopper Sonny Clark/p as well as Wilfred Middlebrooks/b and Stan LEvey/dr on a collection of standards. Clark almost steals the show on a wonderfully bluesy “Doxy” and a thoughtfully romantic “Flamingo,” but Rosolino brings back the spotlight with a bel canto “Things We Did Last Summer” and a cheerful “I May Be Wrong.” An exquisitely clean and toe tapping hard bop session that defines The West Coast mix of drive and melody.
Pianist and Arranger Marty Paich put his signature sound on dozens of 50s albums, most notably for Mel Torme. This one has him with Herbie Harper/tb, Larry Bunker/vib, Jack Costanzo/bong, Frankie Capp/d and Curtis Counce/b for smoothly swinging pieces such as “Zing! Went the Strings of My Heart” and the hoot of a tune “The Natives Are Restless Tonight.” The mix of vibes and bongos create a sizzling sound underneath the entire session. Vocalist Mickey Lynne brings her ruby lips to a vibrant “That Old Black Magic” while “Autumn Leaves” is a melodic delight. Hurray for Hollywood!
Naxos Records