This CD differs from the previous four Studio West releases in that the music was new at the time rather than being drawn from 1962 radio transcriptions. Of the seven musicians on the date, only pianist
Billy Taylor is well known. Ray Rivera plays rhythm guitar, has a couple of personable vocals (best on "I'm Confessin"') and whistles a bit. Lou Caputo (on tenor, alto and flute) and bass trombonist Jack Jeffers are (along with
Taylor) the main soloists on these bop-flavored selections. All but two of the dozen numbers are group originals with Rivera responsible for eight, many of which are actually based on the chord changes of more familiar songs. The music consistently swings, the ensembles are colorful and bop fans will enjoy this effort from these little-known veterans. ~ Scott Yanow