As a huge Maynard Ferguson fan, I highly recommend these recordings. Legend had it that the master tapes for The Ballad Style were destroyed in a fire and that there would never be a CD release. This is probably the third reissue in the past decade, so that rumor has been mercifully squashed. This album has Maynard sounding more like Doc Severinsen with emphasis on melody and tone. I would not call this a jazz album. Alive & Well In London features MF's renditions of early 70's pop/rock hits, similar to the M.F.Horn and M.F. Horn 2 albums. It's jazzier than Ballad, but you'll still recognize most of these songs. Great arrangements and playing throughout, I'd consider this one of my top-five MF albums. Maynard's sound is electric, fearless, and peerless. Okay, that probably overdid it, but I hope someone will find my enthusiasm inspiring. Maynard was a musician for the masses, and these albums deserve a wider audience.

Jim