The boppish pianist Herbie Brock led three albums in his career during 1955-1957, a pair of sets for Savoy and this live date, which was originally put out by the tiny Criteria label. Reissued as a CD by V.S.O.P.,
Herbie's Room features Brock playing with bassist Brooks Caperton and drummer Bill Ladley at a club in Miami, FL, stretching out on six standards and two obscurities ("Jim and Andy" and "Johnny Jaguaar"). Brock's playing is skillful within the straight-ahead bop idiom and, although not overly original, is pleasing and swinging. Pity that he has not recorded since this time, since he would remain part of the Florida jazz scene for decades. This CD gives listeners a good sampling of his talents. ~ Scott Yanow