This album is unusual in two ways. Because pianist
Ahmad Jamal would soon become famous for his piano/bass/drums trios, it is often forgotten that, up until 1956, his group consisted of bassist
Israel Crosby and guitarist
Ray Crawford.
Crawford's percussive hitting of his guitar would soon be utilized by
Herb Ellis in
Oscar Peterson's Trio. And, although it is know that
Miles Davis listened closely to
Jamal and often "borrowed" his repertoire, few probably realize that
Gil Evans based some of his famous arrangements on
Jamal's interpretations. A comparison of "New Rumba" and "Medley" (which is really "I Don't Want To Be Kissed") on this album with
Evans' version for Miles Ahead in 1957 sounds nearly identical despite the very different personnel. It is a pity that
Jamal would soon change his group's instrumentation since his communication with
Crawford and
Crosby (heard here on such tunes as "A Foggy Day," "All of You," "I Get a Kick out of You" and "Spring Is Here") was often magical, but he would soon gain great popularity with the upcoming guitarless trio (which was just as telepathic).