Trombonist
Al Grey is joined by emerging young tenor saxophonist
Billy Mitchell on this pair of 1962 sessions, which were originally issued as an Argo LP and finally reissued on a limited-edition CD by Verve in 2003. The first five tracks also feature trumpeter
Dave Burns and obscure pianist
Floyd Morris. "Nothing But the Truth" is smoldering up-tempo blues with a bit of a gospel flavor, while
Morris gets into the groove of the mid-tempo "Three-Fourth Blues."
Mitchell especially shines on
Melba Liston's soulful ballad "Just Waiting." The three tracks from the earlier session feature
Donald Byrd on trumpet and
Herbie Hancock on piano. Also here is the slashing hard bop composition "Minor on Top." Another
Liston piece, "African Lady," is complex and showcases
Grey's sensitive solo. There's not a bad track on this recommended CD.