A rare small group date led by drummer
Mel Lewis, this CD reissues some excellent straight-ahead music originally put out by A&M's Horizon subsidiary, which was run by producer
John Snyder. The liner notes (exact duplications of the LP's) are a bit microscopic, but the music still communicates quite well. Trumpeter
Freddie Hubbard is in top form during five selections (including "Moose the Mooche" and a quartet feature on "A Child Is Born"); tenor saxophonist
Michael Brecker and
Gregory Herbert (mostly on alto) get in their licks; pianist
Hank Jones and bassist
Ron Carter are typically flawless, and trumpeter
Cecil Bridgewater makes a guest appearance on "Sho' Nuff Did." Excellent music.
–
Scott Yanow, Rovi