Harry Edison

Sweets Poll Winners****

Edison was in his heyday as trumpet of choice for Sinatra and Nelson Riddle when he made these late-1950s sessions with Ben Webster (tenor), Barney Kessel (guitar) and a Jimmy Rowles-Joe Mondrago- Alvin Stoller rhythm section. Somewhat overpraised when they first came out, they have a mellow, laid back feel that says relax, youre among friends. Edison digs into his bag of personal cliches with magisterial aplomb, particularly on the copious helpings of blues, Webster and Rowles are magnificent, the one full of warmth and tenderness, the other warily astringent, and the rest are fine. Four bonus tracks under vibist Red Norvos name bring back Edison, Webster and Rowles with scarcely a lessening of quality, but its the first session, ending with the mesmerising, moody blues, Walkin with Sweets, that retains, for all its cliches, a disarming charm.