The Quintessence Review

07/13/2005 6:09 AM, AMG


If it were not for this CD reissue's extreme brevity (under 31 minutes), it would receive a much higher rating. One of arranger/composer Quincy Jones' finest recordings, this 1961 set features such top players as trumpeters Clark Terry, Thad Jones and Freddie Hubbard, Julius Watkins on French horn, and most notably altoist Phil Woods in several big-band settings. Jones' three originals include "Quintessence" and "For Lena and Lennie"; plus, there are reworkings of "Invitation" and pieces by Benny Golson and Thelonious Monk, among others. The music swings, and the solos are logical outgrowths of the arrangements; if only more than one piece were over 4½ minutes long. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide