Description
Oliver Nelson, who had made his big-time debut on Prestige via the tenor saxophone, plays both tenor and alto here, combining and contrasting with Eric Dolphy on "Alto-itis." The powerful trumpet of Richard Williams completes the front line for a high-energy session that evokes an earlier, jazz-oriented R&B, particularly on the title track, and a modern gospel groove on "The Meetin'."
Nelson went on to make his mark as a composer/arranger before his untimely death in 1975, but this date represents him as a blowing musician in the first phase of his recording career. Although this is a small band, Nelson constantly brings the lessons he learned during his band apprenticeship into play, combining them with the freedom of improvisation afforded by the combo context.