Here’s another edition of the prized BEST VOICES TIME FORGOT series by Fresh Sound Records. This one has Singer/pianist Rocky Cole, teaming with an orchestra conducted and arranged by tenor saxist Al Cohn, who recreates Woody Herman’s “Four Brothers” sax section sound along with Zoot Sims/ts, Frank Sokolow/ts and Steve Pearlow. Cole’s got a kind of het cat Louis Prima delivery, like he just pulled out a cigar to deliver the lyrics to cool readings of “Will You Still Be Mine” and “The Glory Of Love.” He also plays a Nat Cole style of piano in small group settings, sounding uptown on the peppy “I Wish I Were In Love Again” and suave during “Squeeze Me.” The velvety reeds give a 3D texture in support of Cole as his eyes twinkle on “The Late Show” and “Let’s Do It.” This guy is a gas!
Deno Kannes has a bit of Chet Baker with extra muscle in his voice, supported by an LA Orchestra conducted by Bob Enevoldsen/vtb-ts and boasting studio studs like Ronny Lang/as-fl, Jimmy Rowles/p, Marty Paich/p, Howard Roberts/g, Carson Smith/b and Fred Katz/cel. He’s dashing and debonair with Roberts on “Stars Didn’t Fall” and he breezes with the horns like he’s riding with the top down on PCH for “I Wish I Knew” and “Can’t Get Out of This Mood.” Katz and Roberts give chamber support for a dreamy “Why Try to Change Me Now” and he croons to high heaving for “It’s The Sentimental Thing To Do” and “Oh! You Crazy Moon,” sounding upbeat all the way.
Obscure stars shining brightly.