Neal Hefti - Hefti, Hot 'n Hearty

All Music Guide

Here are the ace arrangements and swinging big band music of Neal Hefti before he became associated with Batman and television themes in the '60s. All but a few of the cuts are original compositions, including several widely-recorded ones, some of which were composed for Count Basie ("Little Pony"; "Plymouth Rock"). The seeds of his '60s sound can be heard in places, particularly on "Lucky Duck." Hefti was known primarily as an arranger and composer at this point, although he enjoyed significant success with his 10" record The Music of Rudolph Friml in 1955. Hefti, Hot 'n Hearty showcases Hefti's own versions of some of his best-known songs in a straight jazz vein, and is representative of his style and abilities in the days before he moved into the popular sphere.

- Greg Adams, All Music Guide