A very interesting quintet set,
Straight Ahead matches together
Oliver Nelson (on alto and tenor) and
Eric Dolphy (tripling on alto, flute, and bass clarinet). With the assistance of pianist
Richard Wyands, bassist
George Duvivier, and drummer
Roy Haynes, the two reedmen battle it out on six compositions (five of
Nelson's originals plus
Milt Jackson's "Ralph's New Blues." Although none of
Nelson's tunes caught on, this is a pretty memorable date. It certainly took a lot of courage for
Oliver Nelson to share the front line with the colorful
Eric Dolphy, but his own strong musical personality holds its own on this straight-ahead date. ~ Scott Yanow