Sugan, from Fantasy's Original Jazz Classics series, is essentially a bebop jam session. The quintet (altoist
Phil Woods, trumpeter
Ray Copeland, pianist
Red Garland, bassist
Teddy Kotick, and drummer
Nick Stabulas) performs three
Charlie Parker compositions and three originals by
Woods, but the melodies are quickly discarded in favor of heated solos.
Woods and the greatly underrated
Copeland work together very well, and
Garland is a major asset both as a soloist and as an accompanist to the horns. This little-known date is quite enjoyable.