The music on this LP recalls the airy "Four Brothers" sound that tenor saxophonists
Stan Getz,
Zoot Sims and
Herbie Steward, and baritone saxophonist
Serge Charloff, plied in
Woody Herman's band of 1947. For this outing,
Steward and
Charloff exit, and four become five with the addition of tenor luminaries
Al Cohn,
Brew Moore, and
Allen Eager. The set appropriately kicks off with
Gerry Mulligan's "Five Brothers," a tune reminiscent of
Jimmy Giuffre's original "Four Brothers" in its fluid and bouncy arrangement. Three other attractive and similarly disposed originals (one more by
Mulligan and two by
Cohn) complete the saxophone session from 1949, all featuring swinging statements by each soloist. A 1952 sextet date led by
Sims and
Cohn is also included, offering up another round of original and buoyantly swinging cuts, bolstered by lively contributions from trombonist
Kai Winding and solid rhythmic support by pianist
George Wallington, bassist
Percy Heath, and drummer
Art Blakey. A fine release that nicely showcases the cool, proto-West Coast bop forged by both these soloists and
Miles Davis. ~ Stephen Cook