The decision to include just seven of the twelve numbers from
Hal McKusick's Isn't It Romantic recording and eight of the ten from
Cross Section: Saxes on this CD reissue is unfortunate, making this a so-called "best-of" set; why not reissue three
McKusick dates (including
Jazz at the Academy) complete on two CDs so valuable music is not lost?
McKusick, a fine cool-toned altoist who sometimes recalls
Paul Desmond a bit, also plays some floating atmospheric bass clarinet on these performances. Four of the titles feature a four-sax septet on two arrangements apiece by
George Handy and
Ernie Wilkins; the latter's interpretation of "Now's the Time" harmonizes
Charlie Parker's original recorded solo à la
Supersax. Otherwise
McKusick is matched with trumpeter
Art Farmer in a quintet/sextet with either
Eddie Costa or
Bill Evans on piano, The arrangements (by
Farmer,
Al Cohn,
Manny Albam,
Jimmy Giuffre, or
George Russell) are sometimes complex but always lightly swinging, leaving plenty of space for the horns to solo. Recommended to those listeners who do not already have the more complete LPs.