Joe Thomas, a veteran swing tenor saxophonist, finally got the chance to record his first session in 1979 at age 69. Although he was only musically active occasionally since the mid-’50s Thomas still sounds great and is featured in a quartet that includes pianist Jimmy Rowles, Walter Booker, and drummer Akira Tana. Thomas and Rowles both sing, and Joe’s large tenor voice was mostly under control. The music is relaxed and includes six classic swing songs (including “Exactly Like You”, “Body and Soul”, and “Charmaine”), as well as Thomas’ “Dog Food” which was mistitled “Raw Meat” and Rowles’ “The Lady in the Corner”. This set was a historic and memorable success story for the Uptown label. Allmusic
