Benny Golson's debut as a leader was recorded at a time when he was better known as a composer than a tenor saxophonist. This album, reissued during the CD era with "B.G.'s Holiday" added to the original LP program as a bonus track, features
Golson in a quintet with fellow future
Jazztet co-leader
Art Farmer on trumpet, pianist
Wynton Kelly, bassist
Paul Chambers, and drummer
Charlie Persip on five selections, and with the same group plus four horns on three other songs. The set is most significant for including an early version of
Golson's "Whisper Not" (which soon became a jazz standard) along with "Step Lightly," as well as for the leader's inventive and swinging arrangements; plus, there are some excellent solos from
Golson and
Farmer. Overall, this underrated gem served as a strong start to
Benny Golson's influential solo career.