This Bethlehem LP (last reissued in 1978 and originally known as Mel Tormé and the Marty Paich Dek-Tette) is a classic. Singer
Mel Tormé was matched for the first time with arranger
Marty Paich's ten piece group which was called
The Dek-tette. Among the sidemen are trumpeters
Pete Candoli and
Don Fagerquist, valve trombonist
Bob Enevoldsen,
Bud Shank on alto and flute and either
Bob Cooper or
Jack Montrose on tenors; in addition
Paich uses both a French horn and a tuba. The arranged ensembles and cool-toned soloists match perfectly with
Tormé's warm voice and there are many highpoints to this essential date. In particular "Lulu's Back in Town," "When the Sun Comes Out," "Fascinatin' Rhythm," "The Lady Is a Tramp" and "Lullaby of Birdland" are standouts but all dozen selections are excellent. This is one of
Mel Tormé's finest records of the 1950s.
–
Scott Yanow, Rovi