Vibraphonist
Milt Jackson has been so consistent throughout his lengthy career that his excellence can be taken for granted. This Impulse! recording features
Bags with a quartet (including pianist
Hank Jones) from 1961. The blues, ballads, standards, and originals are typical of
Jackson's recordings, as is the high quality of the swinging music. Nothing too unusual occurs but the results are pleasing. [An Impulse! compilation, also titled
Statements, featured the tracks from the original LP plus
Jackson leading a quintet (with tenor saxophonist
Jimmy Heath and pianist
Tommy Flanagan) in 1964, originally half of the album
Jazz 'n' Samba. In addition there is a feature for
Flanagan in a trio without the vibraphonist that was originally on an Impulse! sampler.] ~ Scott Yanow