For this set (reissued on CD), drummer
Louie Bellson teamed up with some of his favorite West Coast players of the era: tenor saxophonist
Pete Christlieb, trumpeter
Blue Mitchell, pianist
Ross Tompkins, and bassist
John Williams, plus, on the last four of the eight numbers, guitarist
Bob Bain and percussionist
Emil Richards. The first half of the program is essentially straight-ahead bop, including a three-song ballad medley and a rousing "Cotton Tail," while the other four numbers (originals by
Bellson,
Christlieb, and
Mitchell, plus
Dizzy Gillespie's "And Then She Stopped") are a little funkier but still swinging. An excellent effort overall, with the tenorman often taking solo honors.
–
Scott Yanow, Rovi