The best-known of all the 1950s
Chico Hamilton Quintet sets, this is also the only early
Hamilton music that has been fully reissued on CD. At the time, the drummer's group also included cellist Nate Gershman, guitarist Dennis Budimir, bassist Wyatt Ruther and the young
Eric Dolphy on alto, bass clarinet and flute.
Dolphy has quite a few short solos on this rewarding music, and the highlights of the date include "Beyond the Blue Horizon," "Passion Flower,"
Gerald Wilson's "Tuesday at Two" and the exotic "Gongs East." Recommended. ~ Scott Yanow