Clifford Brown only recorded a handful of sides for Blue Note – but all of the best ones are included in this excellent album – a full length
set that culls together Brown's material from the 10" years, issued as a memorial to his early death in 1956! Side one features Brown with the modernist Gigi Gryce on flute and alto sax – plus Charlie Rouse on tenor, John Lewis on piano, Percy Heath on bass, and Art Blakey on drums – a lineup that has a strong sense of soul, b
alanced with a dose of modernism – on titles that include the classic "Hymn to the Orient" – worth the
price of the album alone – plus "Easy Living", "Cherokee", "Wail Bait", and "Minor Mood". Side two features an equally sharp group – with Lou Donaldson on some excellent alto, and the great Elmo Hope on piano – on titles that include "Brownie Speaks", "De Dah", "Cookin", "You Go To My Head", and "Carving The Rock".
(80s DMM pressing. Cover has light wear and a small sticker spot.)