A great late 60s album that brings together earlier bop sides recorded for Blue Note – key material from two of the biggest modernists in the early days of the label! The
James Moody tracks are from an early 10" session – recorded in 1948 with Dave Burns on trumpet, Art Blakey on drums,
James Forman on piano, and Cecil
Payne on baritone – all working under the name
James Moody & His Modernists, on tracks that include "Oh Henry", "Tropicana", "The Fuller Bop Man", and "Moodamorphis" – all penned by Gil Fuller. Side two features a 1954 session led by pianist George Wallington with Burns on trumpet, Jimmy Cleveland on trombone, and Frank Foster on tenor – on titles that include "Festival", "Bumpkins", "Frankie & Johnny", and "Baby Grand".
(Liberty pressing. A nice copy.)