by Scott Yanow
Although one might think considering the personnel (which includes trumpeter Kenny Wheeler) and the time period that this CD reissue contains an avant-garde session, the music is generally straightahead hard bop. Drummer Philly Joe Jones, who has short solos on each of the six selections, is a dominant force even when playing brushes in the ensembles. He contributed two of the six selections (including &Trailways Express& which is a revisit to the Miles Davis arrangement of &Two Bass Hit&) and clearly inspires the younger musicians, all of whom were from England; altoist Peter King and tenor-saxophonist Harold McNair are particularly impressive. Other highlights include George Gershwin's &Gone, Gone, Gone,& a surprisingly cooking version of &Here's That Rainy Day& and Tadd Dameron's &Ladybird.&