When two of the greatest jazz beat-keepers, Gene Krupa and Buddy Rich, joined forces at a concert in New York City in 1952, the results were magical. This night of Jazz at the Philharmonic opened with the appreciative, enthusiastic crowd wildly greeting the introduction of the Gene Krupa Trio by Norman Granz, who also produced this album. From this point on the ambience of The Drum Battle is palpable. The disc builds to "Drum Boogie" and culminates in a duel, "Drum Battle," between the two stick-wielders, a fantastic performance of skill, creativity and, indeed, endurance. Backed by standup players like Willie Smith and Benny Carter on alto saxophone, Oscar Peterson on piano and Ray Brown on bass, this concert equals an historic superpower jazz summit.