Many reissues of Parker's Dial sessions tend to suffer from greatly inferior sound quality and chaotic chronological disorder. This collection, however, has faithfully restored (both sonically and discographically) the results of a single session from 1945. One of Parker's earliest studio dates as a prominent sideman, this also features Dizzy Gillespie, vibraphonist Red Norvo and bass player Slam Stewart (who has the distinctive, charming quirk of humming his solos as he bows them). While the feel and themes of these compositions are still somewhat rooted in conventional swing tradition (Parker and Gillespie would soon enough break away into fully modernist pieces), the playing here is pure, cutting edge be-bop.