Over the years, the copyright holders of Duke Ellington’s compositions have probably generated far more greenbacks from the innumerable cover versions of his material than from the Duke’s own original recordings. This once rare nine-track recital by Sonny Stitt being a typical example. Stemming from the peak of his career at Verve, as to be expected The Special One breezes through such familiar selections as ‘Don’t Get Around Much Anymore’ and ‘I’m Beginning To See The Light’ with his usual confidence while receiving sterling support from Levy, Chambers and Levey.

Stitt is allegedly the most recorded leader in modern jazz (150-plus albums). And, Rearin’ Back, which was taped two years later for Argo in Chicago, is a quite similar format to numerous other albums he produced with the blueswailin’ ‘Carpsie’s Groove’ and ‘Bunny R’ being the high points.