Canada's world high-note trumpet champion seems to be enjoying considerable reissue activity of late, though sadly and typically too late for the deceased artist himself to benefit. Hot on the heels of the MF Horn series comes this two-disc set, which covers his pocket-big band, hits of the 1970s, originally issued on three vinyl albums as per titles shown above. Dear old Maynard never turned down a commercial session but is always instantly identifiable and takes solid, no-nonsense solos on ‘Invitation’ and other jazz numbers with worthwhile changes. Otherwise, where asked simply to scream, he does so as only he could. The sax players, particularly Farrell, also offer worthwhile moments but too often are blowing through various modal pedals, a 1970s trademark which, like bass-guitar and conga rhythm sections, gradually begins to irritate. Synth and even strings also feature on a selection of movie and operatic themes which include ‘Pagliacci’, with a flute solo from Bobby Militello of Dave Brubeck quartet fame, ‘Star Wars’, ‘Scheherazade’, ‘Maria’ from West Side Story and suchlike. Jazz interest is largely confined to Disc Two, where numbers like ‘Birdland’, ‘Over the Rainbow’ and ‘Stella by Starlight’ pop up between ‘Fantasy’ and ‘Theme from Battlestar Galactica’. All a bit of a mishmash.