Sir Edward Lewis, then head of UK Decca, gave the UK-born writer/producer Stanley Dance carte-blanche in the late 1950s to record a series of New York sessions epitomising “mainstream” jazz. Originally released as LPs on Lewis's Felsted label, all nine sessions are now compressed on to five CDs packaged in a (fairly flimsy) slip case. In effect, Dance (who had coined ‘mainstream’ as the term of choice for jazz between revivalist and modern jazz) looked to leading pre-bop figures then still in their prime, and formed groups around them, the resulting products now rated as among the greatest of his many achievements as a champion for this music. While space precludes a blow-by-blow account of all that is on offer, suffice it to say that there are far more positives than negatives. If the Cozy Cole session is makeweight, then it's only fair to say that the Hawkins session, with the on-form Buck Clayton and Hank Jones is exceptional, the great tenor titan in imperious form. Clayton excels wherever he turns up, as does Wells, whether in his four-trombone sessions or among his fellow-Basieites in Tate's groups. Along the way, there are welcome reminders of other quality players like Budd Johnson, Hilton Jefferson and Buster Bailey, each man clearly revelling in the opportunity to play as they wished, well away from the brash surroundings of the Metropole Café or their bread-andbutter rock ’n’ roll gigs. Others to excel include Ray Bryant (with Johnson) and Hodges, as ever, on the superb Strayhorn session. Swinging rhythm sections, soloists ranging from good to great, decent charts, strong ensemble playing, all help make this release a feast for mainstreamers and a box to treasure. Snap it up now.