CHECKMATE

Label: FSMCD Vol.9 No.8
Date: 1960 / 1961
Tracks: 24
Time = 68:50

Original music from CBS TV series plus bonus release of early Johnny Williams "Rhythm in Motion" album from Columbia vaults. CHECKMATE music dates from 1960, underscores crime thriller TV series with Anthony George, Doug McClure, Sebastian Cabot. Johnny Williams takes cue from Henry Mancini, writes jazz sequences with influence of PETER GUNN, scores in similar style that brings French horns into traditional big band ensemble. Highly charged licks for trumpet trade with velvet smooth lines for trombone, pulsating guitar rhythms underline fluid melody for reeds, so forth. It's dynamic music, recorded in high impact widely-spaced stereo. Top drawer FSM CD reissue of original Columbia LP also offers complete "Rhythm In Motion" album recorded in 1961 by personnel from previous CHECKMATE album. Williams adds weight to sessions with lower woodwinds, tuba. Compositions are drawn from Broadway and popular melodies of the day albeit arrangements are pure vintage John Williams. Trademarks include fluid, transparent voicings between instrumental families, frequent use of unison lines within same families, so forth. Both projects are presented in stereo from original album masters vaulted in terrific condition. Profuse liner notes offer both original LP texts, new insights by Jeff Eldridge. John Williams conducts.

CHECKMATE
1. Theme From Checkmate (2:14) 2. The Isolated Pawn (3:25) 3. Cyanide Touch (2:37) 4. Far Out Place (3:29) 5. Hassle in the Castle (2:30) 6. En Passant (2:36) 7. The Black Knight (2:22) 8. Fireside Eyes (3:12) 9. The Bishop's Retreat (3:13) 10. Queen's Sacrifice (3:17) 11. Shy Youth (2:40) 12. The King Swings (2:42)

RHYTHM IN MOTION (Johnny Williams and His Orchestra)
13. Fascinatin' Rhythm (2:47) 14. The Varsity Drag (2:44) 15. The Surrey With the Fringe on Top (3:09) 16. Let's Do It (2:49) 17. Put on a Happy Face (2:12) 18. Whatever Lola Wants (3:42) 19. Johnny One Note (2:14) 20. An Occasional Man (3:22) 21. My Heart Belongs to Daddy (3:15) 22. Life Is Just a Bowl of Cherries (2:54) 23. Sunny Disposish (2:24) 24. Buckle Down Winsocki (2:58)