Jimmy Heath has long been at least a triple threat as a musician (tenor, flute and soprano), arranger and composer. On this 1998 CD reissue,
Heath sticks to tenor, performing "Make Someone Happy" and "The More I See You' while joined by pianist
Cedar Walton and his two brothers, bassist
Percy Heath and drummer
Albert "Tootie" Heath. The other five numbers consist of four of his originals (best-known is "Gemini") plus a reworking of the ballad "Goodbye." For these selections, the quartet is augmented by young trumpeter
Freddie Hubbard (who takes a few fiery solos) and
Julius Watkins on French horn. The arrangements of
Heath uplift the straightahead music and make each selection seem a bit special. ~ Scott Yanow