Under no circumstances is the Capitol Jazz reissue of Basie Meets Bond essential for either you jazz collection or your Basie collection. It is, however, an entertaining outing for those who like the music represented and just want to relax and enjoy the Count and his band.

Interesting aspects of this album include the arrangements by Chico O'Farrill and George Williams. At the time this was recorded (1965) Basie was well into his second big band concept--one where the uniformity of the book was relied upon to create the "Basie sound" rather than the individual voices of soloists. Still, there are some memorable solos here, and the personnel, overall, is top notch: Al Aarons, Sonny Cohn, Wallace Davenport, Phil Guibeau (trumpets), Henderson Chambers, Al Grey, Grover Mitchell (trombones), Bill Hughes (bass trombone), Marhall Royal, Bobby Plater, Eric Dixon, Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis, Charlie Fowlkes (saxophones), and a rhythm section comprised of Basie, Freddie Green (guitar), Norman Keenen (bass), and Sonny Payne (drums). Davis takes a number of solos on tenor sax (in fact, the back of the album indicates that this is the Count Basie Orchestra "Featuring Eddie Lockjaw Davis") and there are some nice solo moments from trombonist Al Grey as well.

What makes this album better than it might have been is the fact that many of the tracks here are based on music from the incidental scores of the James Bond films rather than merely featuring the theme songs. "The Golden Horn, " "Girl Trouble," and "Kingston Calypso" are nicely performed, understated tunes that are perfect vehicles for Basie and his band. O'Farrill's arrangements are excellent (particularly on "Kingston Calypso" and "Goldfinger"), featuring Bobby Plater and Eric Dixon on flute as well as imaginitive voicings throughout. Marshall Royal's unique alto sax rings out through "Thunderball" and Sonny Payne is magnificent throughout.

Sure, this was a fairly obvious attempt to cash in by having Basie record music from the popular '60s Bond films Dr. No, From Russia With Love, Goldfinger, and Thunderball. But Bill Basie himself was every bit as suave as 007, swinging imperturbably no matter what was happening. So pour yourself a martini and kick back to the sounds of the swinging-est band that ever was.