Drummer
Max Roach's abilities as a talent scout have often been overlooked through the years, but quite a few musicians (from
Hank Mobley and
Clifford Brown to
Stanley Turrentine and
Odeon Pope) have benefitted greatly from their association with
Roach. An ill-fated trumpeter who the drummer helped introduce was
Booker Little who made his recording debut at the age of 20 on this excellent LP. With
George Coleman on tenor, pianist Eddie Baker and bassist
Bob Cranshaw also in the quintet, this album might be brief (only around 31 minutes) but it has plenty of fine playing.
Little's feature on "My Old Flame" is a highpoint,
Coleman sounds fine on "Stompin' at the Savoy," the uptempo blues "Memo to Maurice" and "Stella by Starlight" are both quite enjoyable and
Roach has several typically well-constructed solos. Recommended, as are all the mostly hard-to-find
Roach-
Little sessions. ~ Scott Yanow