This is a very interesting CD, particularly for bop collectors, since it contains very rare early performances by altoist
Sonny Stitt and vibraphonist
Milt Jackson; some of the titles were originally under trumpeter
Russell Jacquet's name. There are eight songs by a quintet with
Stitt, Jacquet and pianist
Sir Charles Thompson, what could be considered the first
Modern Jazz Quartet records (actually a quintet with
Milt Jackson, pianist
John Lewis, drummer
Kenny Clarke, bassist Al Jackson and
Chano Pozo on congas) and five songs from a septet with
Jacquet, Stitt, trombonist
J.J. Johnson and baritonist
Leo Parker. Recorded in Detroit for the tiny Galaxy label, these performances are not essential but they do give listeners an early glimpse at the future stars. ~ Scott Yanow