This is a particularly interesting hard bop-oriented set led by drummer
Philly Joe Jones. Most unusual is "Gwen," a
Jones ballad that has the leader on both piano and (via overdubbing) drums in a trio with bassist
Jimmy Garrison. Otherwise, trumpeter
Blue Mitchell, trombonist
Julian Priester, tenor saxophonist
Bill Barron, baritone saxophonist Pepper Adams, either Dolo Coker or
Sonny Clark on piano,
Garrison, and
Jones form a septet that performs modern tunes by
Barron,
Priester, and
Jones, in addition to "I'll Never Be the Same" and
Philly Joe's feature on "Gone" (based on the
Miles Davis/
Gil Evans interpretation of "Porgy and Bess"). A well-conceived, diverse, and recommended CD reissue. ~ Scott Yanow