Drummer
Elvin Jones' first full-length album as a leader is different than one would expect when it is taken into consideration that he was a member of the fiery
John Coltrane Quartet at the time. This sextet session, which also includes his brothers
Thad and
Hank on cornet and piano in addition to flutist
Frank Wess,
Frank Foster on tenor, and bassist
Art Davis, is straight-ahead with a strong
Count Basie feel.
Jones is still recognizable on the fairly obscure material (only "You Are Too Beautiful" qualifies as a standard) and shows that he can cook in the fairly conventional setting. All of the musicians are in fine form, and two selections feature the rhythm section as a trio. ~ Scott Yanow