This two-LP set combines together five different sessions, four of which feature altoist
Gigi Gryce.
Gryce, a good soloist and a superior composer, is featured on four obscure but colorfully titled selections ("Shuffle Boil," "Brake's Sake," "Gallop's Gallop" and "Nica's Tempo") in a quartet with pianist
Thelonious Monk. Another quartet date (with pianist
Duke Jordan, bassist
Oscar Pettiford and drummer Kenny Clarke) along with a session by
Phil Woods (with pianist
Hall Overton, bassist
Teddy Kotick and drummer
Nick Stabulas) are from "Music Minus One" sessions in which songs were released both with and without the lead voice; fortunately the ones on this two-fer have the full group. The reissue is wrapped up with six numbers from a pair of colorful nonet sessions headed by
Gryce.
Ernestine Anderson, who sings two numbers including a memorable version of "Social Call," is heard in her recording debut. Recommended.