The music on this Savoy disc is excellent but the packaging is rather dumb. Rather than reissue all 12 selections from a pair of 1954 sessions that led to the birth of the
J.J. Johnson-
Kai Winding two-trombone quintet (renditions that also include either pianist Wally Cirillo or guitarist
Billy Bauer along with bassist
Charles Mingus and drummer
Kenny Clarke), there are just eight on this CD along with a
Johnson track from 1947 ("Yesterdays") and three of the four
Winding performances (in a quintet with pianist Lou Stein) from 1952. Sure to frustrate completists, this reissue is still worth picking up if found at a budget price, for the music contains plenty of worthy trombone solos. ~ Scott Yanow