Sarah Vaughan – Sarah Vaughan In HiFi (2LPs, Pure Pleasure)

Most of Sarah Vaughan’s recordings for Columbia have been on the commercial side – but not the memorable recordings on this wonderful re-release. Eight tracks date from 1950, Sarah Vaughan is accompanied by an octet consisting of trumpeter Miles Davis, trombonist Benny Green, the remarkably ‘cool’ clarinetist Tony Scott and tenor saxophonist Budd Johnson. The double LP adds seven alternate versions to the original LP, available on vinyl for the first time. The track “Ain’t Misbehavin'” is a real classic here (with catchy 8-bar solos by the four wind instruments), “Mean To Me” and “Nice Work If You Can Get It” are real gems, and the other tracks stand the test in no way after that.