June Christy is a somewhat overlooked figure nowadays, but this first-rate collection from Avid, showcasing her elegant, perfectly-pitched and dynamically varied vocals should do something to change that.

Surrounded by a who's who of the white West Coast scene of the 1950s, she also benefits from the natty arrangements of Pete Rugolo and her husband, the saxophonist Bob Cooper. The latter's charts include a version of ‘It Don't Mean A Thing’ with a daring change of tempo brilliantly led by Christy's apparently understated vocal. And it's this effortless technique, coupled with a talent for unearthing the story in a lyric that makes her so compelling. Her prior experience with the Kenton band means she is just as at home and relaxed in the full big band tracks, such as ‘Great Scot’, as she is in the more intimate small band settings, such as ‘I'm Glad There Is You’. There's not a weak soloist, and whether it's Bud Shank and Bob Cooper trading phrases or Frank Rosolino nonchalantly putting in 16 bars of show-stopping trombone, they add to the sense of every track being of consistently fine quality. The most out-and-out jazz sides here are from the original albums June's Got Rhythm and Those Kenton Days. From the latter, ‘How High The Moon’ somehow encapsulates everything from small group intimacy to full big-band roar, backing her inventive way with the lyrics as well as some deft scatting, that's never overdone.