Along with tenor saxophonist
Harold Land, altoist
Sonny Criss qualifies as one of the most overlooked giants of West Coast jazz. His sound -- like most alto players of the bebop and hard bop days -- was heavily influenced by
Charlie Parker, but
Criss still managed to forge an original style featuring a very original melodic bent with loads of bluesy underpinnings. The goods can be optimally previewed on this great Prestige date from 1966. Backed by a trio consisting of pianist
Walter Davis, bassist
Paul Chambers, and drummer
Alan Dawson,
Criss makes fine work of such rare-bird covers as "Sunrise, Sunset" and "When Sunny Gets Blue." There are also some fine originals here, including
Criss' own "Steve's Blues" and
Davis' classic "Greasy." A perfect start to your
Criss collection. ~ Stephen Cook