Randy Weston, who was more under
Thelonious Monk's influence back in 1956 then he would be in the near future, is in top form during this live set. His quartet features the rarely heard but talented baritonist
Cecil Payne, bassist
Ahmed Abdul-Malik and drummer Al Dreares. Highpoints of the straightahead set (which has been reissued on CD) include the calypso "Hold 'Em Joe" (recorded almost a decade before
Sonny Rollins), "It's All Right with Me" (one of two trio tracks) and the lone
Weston original on the date, the stimulating "Chessman's Delight." ~ Scott Yanow