The Lionel Hampton Quintet
Vibraphonist Hampton as ever boasts a struck-bottle tone and watery vibrato, energy to spare, and timing few jazz musicians could equal. He used to  bat around small bands like balloons, their performances caught on a string of  quality jam-session records stretching back to the 1930s. This 1954 version,  originally on two LPs, makes good with a slightly unlikely cast. Clarinet  modernist Buddy DeFranco is swept back toward the piping, driving style of  swing-era heroes like Hamp's old boss Benny Goodman, without sacrificing his own  attractively full but not heavy tone. DeFranco gets plenty of space and soars to  the occasion, reminding us what such sessions are good for. As on other studio  jams for producer Norman Granz, flashy pianist Oscar Peterson and drummer Buddy  Rich are admirably self-effacing, laying down a firm but pliant groove in  conjunction with bassist Ray Brown. Hamp's oddball pop-tune quotes help  establish an air of good humor the band sustains even on "Paper Moon," which he  missed.--Kevin Whitehead