Although
Gil Evans had gained a lot of acclaim for his three collaborations with
Miles Davis in the 1950s and his own albums, this CD contains (with the exception of two tracks purposely left off),
Evans's only dates as a leader during 1961-68. The personnel varies on the six sessions that comprise the CD (which adds five numbers including two previously unreleased to the original Lp) with such major soloists featured as tenorman
Wayne Shorter, trombonist
Jimmy Cleveland, trumpeter
Johnny Coles and guitarist
Kenny Burrell. Highlights include "Time of the Barracudas," "The Barbara Song," "Las Vegas Tango" and "Spoonful." Highly recommended to
Gil Evans fans; it is a pity he did not record more during this era. ~ Scott Yanow