The Big 18 was a studio only big band assembled by RCA Victor Musical Director Fred Reynolds in 1958. Reynold's idea was to use some of the great songs and arrangements of the big band era while showcasing some of the star sidemen of the great bands by allowing ample time for extended solos. There were two releases by The Big 18. They were Live Echoes Of The Swinging Bands and More Live Echoes Of The Swinging Bands. Hi-fi stereo was of course a post Swing era invention. Read more on Last.fm