Search - Sal Nistico :: Heavyweights

Wonderful

Bomojaz | South Central PA, USA | 09/09/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This Milestone CD collects two LPs Nistico recorded in the early 1960s: HEAVYWEIGHTS (Jazzland, 12/20/61) and COMIN' ON UP! (Riverside, 10/17/62). Both LPs were excellent and it's great having them together on one CD. HEAVYWEIGHTS has a slight edge over the Riverside date, mainly because of the excellent version of AU PRIVAVE found there. Nistico definitely was a swinging tenor player and on this handsome material he really shines. Nat Adderley is on cornet and plays with fire and his usual sure touch. COMIN' is just as swinging as the previous date and finds the obscure trumpet man Sal Amico joining Nistico. Previous to these recordings Nistico was best known as a member of Woody Herman's band; he died in Switzerland in 1991, aged 50. These are two solid mainstream modern recordings that easily could have gotten lost in the seemingly whimsical reissue game. Thank you, Milestone. (Because of time restrictions, "Just Friends" on the HEAVYWEIGHTS date had to be left off.)"