Pianist
Ray Bryant solidified his reputation with this outstanding 1957 trio release. It displayed his facility with the blues, speed, gospel influence, and interpretive abilities on such songs as
John Lewis' "Django" and
Clifford Brown's "Daahoud." It also contained
Bryant's funky originals "Splittin" and "Blues Changes," and was punctuated by
Ike Isaacs' careful bass work and
Specs Wright's loose, in the groove drumming. This set has recently been reissued by Fantasy, and the remastering provides a fine sonic framework for
Bryant's heady, unpredictable, and often exciting playing. ~ Ron Wynn