Joe Henderson's second recording as a leader features a very strong supporting cast: trumpeter
Kenny Dorham (one of
Henderson's earliest supporters), pianist
Andrew Hill, bassist
Eddie Khan, and drummer
Pete La Roca. Together they perform three
Dorham and two
Henderson originals, advanced music that was open to the influence of the avant-garde while remaining in the hard bop idiom. The up-tempo blues "Teeter Totter" contrasts with the four minor-toned pieces and, even if none of these songs became standards, the playing is consistently brilliant and unpredictable. Even at this relatively early stage,
Joe Henderson showed his potential as a great tenorman.