This is a delightful if underrated set that was reissued on CD in 1997. The multi-talented
Jimmy Heath has many consistently rewarding and distinctive tenor saxophone solos; he also contributed three of the seven pieces and arranged all of them for a group also including trumpeter
Donald Byrd, two French horns,
Don Butterfield's tuba and a rhythm section that has bassist
Percy Heath and (on three numbers) drummer
Albert "Tootie" Heath. The music is straight-ahead but contains some unpredictable moments. Highlights include
Heath's versions of
Thelonious Monk's "Nutty" and "More Than You Know." ~ Scott Yanow