One can fault this CD for having brief playing time (a dozen selections totaling less than 33 minutes) and for not including the alternate takes, but the music is beyond criticism. When trombonist
J.J. Johnson burst on the scene in the mid-'40s, his speed, fluency and quick ideas put him at the top of his field, where he remained for over a half century. This 1992 CD has the trombonist's first three sessions as a leader, music that qualifies as classic bebop.
Johnson is matched with either altoist
Cecil Payne, baritonist
Leo Parker or tenor great
Sonny Rollins (on one of his first dates) in quintets that also include
Bud Powell,
Hank Jones or
John Lewis on piano;
Leonard Gaskin,
Al Lucas or
Gene Ramey on bass; and
Max Roach or
Shadow Wilson on drums. Other than the ballads "Don't Blame Me" and "Yesterdays," the repertoire is comprised of originals (including
Rollins' "Audobon") containing lots of tricky lines, concise but heated solos, and virtuosic playing. Until a more complete reissue takes its place, bop fans not owning the music (plus the alternates) on earlier LPs will definitely find this CD valuable. ~ Scott Yanow