Jazz Giants ’58 has always been a classic, a Norman Granz collation that needs very little extra endorsement from me. Each of these great soloists is on song, Edison in particular at his potent best, perhaps because of the presence of Gerry Mulligan. Much is made of the fact that the front-liners had not recorded together before; if that’s right, we’re the beneficiaries, for they work together particularly well, buoyed on a carpet of swing laid down by Oscar Peterson and company. The opening blues, ‘Chocolate Sundae’, is the standout, Brown and Mulligan duetting thrillingly first off, Ellis comping behind them as the riffs come in. Ellis then solos with his country-meets-Christian twang, OP inspiring in support, the energy building for Oscar’s own solo, all crisp and neat, Brown and Bellson the epitome of swing. This is desert island music, the pleasure factor enhanced by Getz’s laid-back entry and Edison, tightly muted as was his wont, stabbed notes and all, before Getz’s last word. And so it goes through these fine performances, their quality justifying an entire essay rather than just a cursory review. As is Phoenix’s way, there are bonus tracks, these taken from an earlier Granz-assembled session, starting with an eight-item ballad medley: like ’em or loathe ’em, these were a staple part of the Granz approach to jazz presentation in those 1950s days. The real meat comes with ‘Blues For The Count’, with the great man riffing on organ as he aided and abetted this mouth-watering array of soloists. Like the best shows, this one just runs and runs and so should you, straight to your friendly record dealer.