's third recording as a leader has him playing very well, somewhat energetic and more inclusive in his direction to span the palate beyond the cool exterior he emanates. The title might be a bit deceptive, for this is not a project where or early boogaloo influences turned jazzmen into groovemeisters -- it's a swinging groove. With bassist and drummer , has all the support he needs to wing it in a variety of directions. Recorded in that most legendary year of , 1957, is coming into his own in a more confident way, buoyed by his association at the time with . is flawless in his support role, and on this recording deserves a close listen, especially for students of the acoustic upright. They immediately dig in on the opener with at his heartiest during his bridge solo, they agree in the affirmative during the entirety of the take of and repeat but modify the melody a la in an adept display of artistry for Of course has to play a ballad or two, as on luscious with chord sequences, and really reflects the influence of in that chiming, two-handed sustenato style for 's It is said that by the third recording, most musicians should have their style down pat and begin attempting to take the music to a higher level. You really hear that in this recording, which was a springboard to making one of the most revered and respected pianists of the modern era. ~ Michael G. Nastos