This compilation includes the contents of two LPs and part of a third, all featuring
Paul Gonsalves and
Clark Terry, though only one of them,
Cookin', was originally issued under the tenor saxophonist's name. The CD opens with four songs from
The Jazz School, one side of a 1956 recording featuring the two
Ellingtonians with pianist
Junior Mance, bassist
Chubby Jackson, the little known baritonist
Porter Kilbert, and drummer
Gene Miller.
Gonsalves contributed "Take Nine" with the other tracks being enjoyable, if unremarkable arrangements of familiar standards. The ten tracks from
Cookin' include fellow
Duke Ellington bandmembers
Jimmy Woode on bass and
Sam Woodyard on drums, with
Willie Jones on piano. The date consists of originals by either
Gonsalves or
Terry, with the tenorist taking lots of long solos, as was typical for him. None of the compositions ended up becoming lasting vehicles in either man's repertoire. The final six tracks actually represent the entire contents of
Jimmy Woode's sole recording as a leader, with fellow
Ellington sidemen
Gonsalves,
Terry, and
Woodyard, in addition to
Kilbert (on alto sax) and flautist Mike Simpson. This session was a rare opportunity for
Woode to showcase his songwriting abilities, with one standard, "The Way You Look Tonight," becoming a vocal feature for the bassist.