Booker Little was the first trumpet soloist to emerge in jazz after the death of
Clifford Brown to have his own sound. His tragically brief life (he died at age 23 later in 1961) cut short what would have certainly been a major career.
Little, on this sextet date with multi-reedist
Eric Dolphy, trombonist
Julian Priester, and drummer
Max Roach, shows that his playing was really beyond bebop. His seven now-obscure originals (several of which deserve to be revived) are challenging for the soloists and there are many strong moments during these consistently challenging and satisfying performances.