This marvelous compilation brings together Ziggy Elman's issued recordings (as opposed to radio broadcast airchecks) made in New York during 1947 and Los Angeles in 1949. This material belongs to that interesting subgenre of big-band swing with elements of bop, suspended somewhere between entrenched traditions and trenchant trends. Notable jazz improvisers include trumpeter Charlie Shavers, clarinetist Buddy DeFranco, saxophonists Babe Russin and Boomie Richman, and drummer Louie Bellson. Aside from a couple of sweet vocals by Virginia Maxey and Bob Manning, this disc is packed with pleasant swing instrumentals based on arrangements by Larry Clinton and Sid Cooper. There are updated renditions of old tunes like "Me and My Shadow" and "Carolina in the Morning" along with acknowledgements of contemporary developments in jazz ("Boppin' with Zig") and Elman's famous reconstructions of old Jewish melodies, "And the Angels Sing" and "Bublitchki." A superb selection of great swing music recorded at a time when the entertainment industry was turning its back on big bands in general.