Cannonball Adderley had struggled unsuccessfully with a quintet between 1955 and 1957, giving up for a time to play with
Miles Davis' group. In 1959 his new quintet suddenly caught on with the release of this very exciting live album, which has been reissued on CD in the Original Jazz Classics series. With cornetist
Nat Adderley, pianist
Bobby Timmons, bassist
Sam Jones, and drummer
Louis Hayes,
Cannonball had the top new jazz group of 1959. Their version of
Timmons' "This Here" was a major hit, and the other numbers on this famous date (which include "Spontaneous Combustion," "Hi-Fly," "You Got It," "Bohemia After Dark," and "Straight, No Chaser") are also quite enjoyable, showing why
Adderley's group was a pacesetter in funky soul-jazz and proving that they could outswing most of their competition. This gem is essential for all jazz collections. [The 2007 Riverside reissue has been remastered and three bonus tracks added.] ~ Scott Yanow