This brings together all of the extant takes recorded for two albums that
Milt Jackson made with
Ray Charles for Atlantic in 1957 and 1958. With
Oscar Pettiford,
Connie Kay, and
Kenny Burrell in the various lineups, this is bluesy jazz in a laid-back manner; it surprised many hardcore R&B fans when these albums were originally issued.
Jackson moves from vibes to piano, and even guitar (on "Bag's Guitar Blues"), while
Ray jumps between piano and alto sax on these sessions. A rare glimpse of
Charles' jazz soul coming up for air. ~ Cub Koda