Magnificently mellow..
Johnny Yen | Tokyo, Japan | 07/07/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"
I can't believe it's taken me this long to get around to Thad Jones. He's not really had a lot of press for his small combo work so I suppose that's why he slipped under the radar. I read good things about this set in Richard Cook's excellent book on the Blue Note label. Cook is spot on when describing Thad's 'big, gorgeous sound'. Listen to his impeccable pacing and note placement on the opener 'April In Paris' and you will be sold on the Jones tone. This track also has very sympathetic support from the incomparable Max Roach using his brushes the way only he can. Not a weak track on this set, good support from Roach, Barry Harris on piano, Percy Heath on bass and the unsung Billy Mitchell on tenor saxophone.
Sound quality on my Japanese Toshiba pressing is top notch. Can't wait to hear his other Blue Note work 'Detroit-New York Junction'."