The Hawk in Hi Fi is an album by saxophonist Coleman Hawkins with an orchestra arranged and conducted by Billy Byers.

However, Byers' arrangements are more functional than inspired, and some of these selections are more easy listening than they are swinging".

Byers’ arrangements are like simple rings on which Hawkins’ solos are beautiful diamonds.

It might get a little soupy at times but there is nothing sentimental about any of these tracks, and there is real wit and verve and intelligence behind every choice here.

'I Never Knew' rocks along very nicely, as do a couple more Hawkins originals; 'His Very Own Blues' and a new version of 'Bean and the Boys' entitled '39"-25"-39"' must have set many a late-‘50s dancefloor on fire.