This CD reissue finds trombonist
J.J. Johnson in prime form. In fact, his melancholy minor-toned explorations often recall
Miles Davis, whose group he had played with the year before). Backed on six of the seven tracks by pianist
Harold Mabern, who at the time was heavily influenced by
McCoy Tyner, bassist Arthur Harper and drummer
Frank Gant, Johnson gets to really stretch out on "Neo," "Minor Blues" and "Blues Waltz"; "Gloria" was previously available only on an Impulse sampler.
Manny Albam's "Lullaby of Jazzland," on which
Johnson is joined by guitarist
Toots Thielemans, pianist
McCoy Tyner, bassist
Richard Davis and drummer
Elvin Jones, rounds out the excellent set. ~ Scott Yanow