Tenor saxophonist
Warne Marsh and pianist
Hank Jones had not performed together before they met up in the studio to make what would be the second release for the Criss Cross label. With bassist
George Mraz and drummer
Mel Lewis completing the quartet, plenty of sparks fly between the two lead soloists.
Marsh plays with more fire than one would expect from the cool-toned tenor; the material (four lesser-known tunes by the leader, one by
Jones, "Moose the Mooche," and "Victory Ball") is fresher than usual, and the album can be easily recommended to straight-ahead jazz collectors. ~ Scott Yanow