For this 1957 studio session, the two distinctive but complementary guitarists
Kenny Burrell and
Jimmy Raney are teamed up in a septet with trumpeter
Donald Byrd, altoist
Jackie McLean, pianist
Mal Waldron, bassist
Doug Watkins, and drummer
Art Taylor. The full group gets to stretch out on one original each by
Watkins and
McLean ("Little Melonae") and three from
Waldron, while the two standards ("Close Your Eyes" and "Out of Nowhere") are individual features for
Burrell and
Raney. This is a well-rounded set that may not contain any real surprises, but will be enjoyed by collectors of hard bop. ~ Scott Yanow