1968 · Album
The Board of Directors Annual Report
Recorded 1968 · Dot · Produced by Not specified in available sources
Basie and the Mills Brothers Strike Again
A straightforward sequel that proves the first collaboration was no accident.
By the time Count Basie and The Mills Brothers returned to the studio together in 1968, they already had a successful partnership under their belts with The Board of Directors (1967). This follow-up, The Board of Directors Annual Report, picks up where that album left off — four smooth vocal harmonies floating over Basie's orchestra, the kind of easy-swinging big band sound that had largely faded from the charts but never from the ears of listeners who appreciated craft and maturity.
What makes this worth hearing is its straightforwardness. There are no gimmicks here, no attempts to sound contemporary or hip. The Mills Brothers just sing in their characteristic close harmony while Basie's band provides solid, unpretentious accompaniment. The orchestra swings without showboating. The vocals sit naturally in the mix instead of dominating it. If you've heard the earlier collaboration and enjoyed it, you know exactly what to expect: reliable, pleasant, well-executed music from people who understood their strengths and had no interest in proving anything.
This is a record for people who like straightforward jazz vocals and big band swing. It's not revelatory or a departure for either artist — by this point, Basie was well into his career playing exactly this kind of material, and the Mills Brothers had been doing harmony vocals for decades. The album works as what it is: a comfortable, competent session that gave both parties the chance to work together again on material that suited them. It's not essential listening, but if you find yourself drawn to this era of jazz and these artists, it's solid company.
Who's playing
Norman Keenanbass
Count Basiepiano
Freddie Greenguitar
Eric Dixontenor saxophone
Frank Fostertenor saxophone
Charlie Fowlkesbaritone saxophone
Bobby Plateralto saxophone
Marshall Royalalto saxophone
Al Aaronstrumpet
Ernie Royaltrumpet
Bill Hughestrombone
Grover Mitchelltrombone
Where next?
More by Count Basie
The Atomic Mr. Basie 1958
First Time! The Count Meets the Duke 1961
Arthur Prysock / Count Basie 1966
Sammy Davis & Count Basie: Our Shining Hour 1965
The musicians on this record
Their own records, close in time