This is one of flügelhornist
Clark Terry's finest albums.
Terry had complete control over the music and, rather than have the usual jam session, he utilized an octet and arrangements by
Yusef Lateef,
Budd Johnson, and
Al Cohn. The lineup of musicians (C.T., trombonist
Jimmy Knepper,
Julius Watkins on French horn,
Yusef Lateef on tenor, flute, oboe, and English horn,
Seldon Powell doubling on tenor and flute, pianist
Tommy Flanagan, bassist
Joe Benjamin, and drummer
Ed Shaughnessy) lives up to its potential, and the charts make good use of the sounds of these very individual stylists. The material, which consists of originals by
Terry,
Duke Jordan,
Lateef, and
Bob Wilber, is both rare and fresh, and the interpretations always swing. Highly recommended.