The date included on this CD reissue was originally led by the obscure tenor
Rocky Boyd but has come back under trumpeter
Kenny Dorham's name with the six songs augmented by four alternate takes.
Boyd (whose style mixes together the influences of
Hank Mobley and
John Coltrane) blends in well with
Dorham, the rhythm section (pianist
Walter Bishop, Jr., bassist
Ron Carter and drummer
Pete La Roca) is excellent and the repertoire (group originals plus "Samba De Orpheus" and two slow versions of "Stella by Starlight") generally inspires the players. It's funny how
La Roca's original "Why Not" has exactly the same melody and chord structure as
Coltrane's "Impressions." This CD is worth picking up by straightahead jazz collectors.