This CD reissue has four selections from the same sessions (but not released on the original sets) that resulted in
The Freedom Book,
The Blues Book, and
The Space Book. "Groovin' High" features the intense tenor of
Booker Ervin playing comparatively lighthearted bebop in a quintet with trumpeter
Carmell Jones, pianist
Gildo Mahones, bassist
Richard Davis, and drummer
Alan Dawson. The other numbers ("The Second #2," "Bass-IX," and a brief "Stella by Starlight") match
Ervin with the unbeatable trio of pianist
Jaki Byard,
Davis, and
Dawson. Although these performances are not quite classic,
Booker Ervin fans will want this CD to round out their collections, for
Ervin was at the peak of his powers during this era. ~ Scott Yanow