With a reputation as one of the originators of cool jazz, it's ironic that over the years tenor saxophonist
Warne Marsh gained a following of musicians mainly associated with the avant-garde, spearheaded by multi-reedist
Anthony Braxton. These musicians heard what this disc demonstrates: that cool didn't always mean smoothed out. Originally issued in 1957,
Music for Prancing is
Marsh's second session as a leader with pianist
Ronnie Ball,
Red Mitchell on bass, and
Stan Levey on drums. The quartet performs four standards such as the usually subdued
Rodgers & Hart ballad "You Are Too Beautiful," which they make swing, and two originals:
Ball's "Ad Libido" and
Marsh's "Playa del Ray." A strong CD reissue on the budget label VSOP.