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The album would have been a tad more balanced with just one more ballad, but that's a minor carp: otherwise it's pretty near faultless. I don't share Mr Pepper's enthusiasm for his own tenor playing, which is not to say it isn't good, rather that set alongside his alto playing it's a bit what we used to call "second division".
Certainly one of the very finest CDs ever, period. Nothing need be added. He nailed it.
Jack Sheldon contributes some of his best recorded solos as Art's front-line partner. I never tire of listening to it. In my humble opinion,this recording along with "Meets The Rhythm Section" are Art's two greatest recordings, and confirm his legacy as one of the greatest improvisors in modern jazz history. I've owned this as an LP since my high school days in the early 1960s and it remains one of my all-time favorites. A timeless classic. The charts by the great Marty Paich are a perfect showcase for Art on alto, tenor AND clarinet-- (Dig his solo on "Anthropology.") Art's great lead alto is in evidence on "Grooving High" and "Airegin." "Round Midnight" stands as a perfect blend of arrangement and solo--my favorite cut on the CD. Needless to say, the playing by the ensemble is peerless, thanks to a lineup of West Coast all-stars.
Great sounding recording as well. Art Pepper has several solos that really swing (Bird's "Donna Lee"). Highly recommended, especially if you want to bridge the gap between 40's Big Bands and Bop Combo's of the 50's. This 1959 Los Angeles recording is a great example Marty Paich's incredible arrangement prowness, and Art Pepper's command of a small big band. The band takes on 12 standards from the likes of Gillespie, Parker, Monk, and Sonny Rollins, among others, and turns in highly innovative performances that never lose their focus.
this is an outstanding album of energetic jazz. each instrument, each note seems about as right as it should be. looking for some jazz that's busy and going places. with all the players involved here, and the pace that they go at it, it's amazing how precise everything comes out. very very entertaining, indeed. something uptempo and fine. well, here you have it.
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