REX STEWART | BARNEY BIGGARD | JOHNNY HODGES - The Great Ellington Units (1993) FLAC (tracks), lossless

Beginning in the '30s, Duke Ellington started recording with small groups taken out of his orchestra under the leadership of his sidemen. These highly enjoyable recordings offered the musicians some variety and the chance to debut some new material. All but two of the small-group recordings cut for Victor during 1940-41 are included on this very enjoyable CD including such future Ellington-associated standards as "Day Dream," "Things Ain't What They Used to Be," "Passion Flower" and "C Jam Blues." With altoist Johnny Hodges, cornetist Rex Stewart and clarinetist Barney Bigard acting as leaders (and bassist Jimmy Blanton inspiring the soloists), the music is consistently brilliant Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Johnny Hodges And Orchestra–    Day Dream 2'59
Written-By – Strayhorn, Ellington
2    Johnny Hodges And Orchestra–    Good Queen Bess 3'03
Written-By – Johnny Hodges
3    Johnny Hodges And Orchestra–    That's The Blues, Old Man 2'58
Written-By – Johnny Hodges
4    Johnny Hodges And Orchestra–    Junior Shop 3'09
Written-By – Duke Ellington
5    Rex Stewart And Orchestra–    Without A Song 2'48
Written-By – Rose, Eliscu, Youmans
6    Rex Stewart And Orchestra–    My Sunday Gal 3'12

Written-By – Duke Ellington
7    Rex Stewart And Orchestra–    Mobile Bay 3'08
Written-By – Duke Ellington
8    Rex Stewart And Orchestra–    Linger Awhile 3'30
Written-By – Owens, Rose
9    Barney Bigard And Orchestra–    Charlie The Chulo 3'02
Written-By – Duke Ellington
10    Barney Bigard And Orchestra–    Lament For Javanette 2'51
Written-By – Duke Ellington
11    Barney Bigard And Orchestra–    A Lull At Dawn 3'29
Written-By – Barney Bigard
12    Barney Bigard And Orchestra–    Ready Eddy 33'13
Written-By – Barney Bigard
13    Rex Stewart And Orchestra–    Some Saturday 3'00
Written-By – Rex Stewart
14    Rex Stewart And Orchestra–    Subtle Slough 3'19
Written-By – Duke Ellington
15    Rex Stewart And Orchestra–    Menelik (The Lion Of Judah) 3'19
Written-By – Rex Stewart
16    Rex Stewart And Orchestra–    Poor Rubber 3'20
Written-By – Rex Stewart
17    Johnny Hodges And Orchestra–    Squaty Roo 2'26
Written-By – Johnny Hodges
18    Johnny Hodges And Orchestra–    Passion Flower 3'10
Written-By – Billy Strayhorn
19    Johnny Hodges And Orchestra–    Things Ain't What They Used To Be 3'41
Written-By – Mercer Ellington
20    Johnny Hodges And Orchestra–    Going Out The Back Way 2'44
Written-By – Johnny Hodges
21    Barney Bigard And Orchestra–    Brown Suede 3'05
Written-By – Mercer Ellington
22    Barney Bigard And Orchestra–    "C" Blues 2'51
Written-By – Duke Ellington