This excellent recording features altoist Lee Konitz with two separate quartets during 1956. Either guitarist Billy Bauer or pianist Sal Mosca are the main supporting voices in groups also including either Arnold Fishkind or Peter Ind on bass and Dick Scott on drums. The most unusual aspect to the set is that on the four selections with Mosca, Konitz switches to tenor, playing quite effectively in a recognizable cool style. The overall highlights of this enjoyable album are “Everything Happens to Me”, “All Of Me”, and “Star Eyes”, but all eight performances are well played and swinging. – Scott Yannow

This LP, initially released on Atlantic in 1956 and soon after leaving his stint with Stan Kenton, features Rudy Van Gelder as producer with two line-ups that flip along with the LP from Side A to B. Side A includes guitarist Billy Bauer, Arnold Fishkind on bass and Dick Scott on drums. On the flip, you’ll find pianist Sal Mosca, Peter Ind on bass and Dick Scott on drums while Konitz switches to tenor.

The album has received a beautiful mastering job. The sheer breadth of the soundstage is impressive on its own. There is a definite impression that this band is spread across a stage with Konitz on the far left. While there is plenty of dynamic room for his crescendo outbursts, it’s good to hear the solid and grounded performance that talks of discipline.

Personnel:
Alto Saxophone – Lee Konitz (tracks: A1 to A4)
Tenor Saxophone – Lee Konitz (tracks: A1, B1 to B4)
Bass – Arnold Fishkind* (tracks: A1 to A4), Peter Ind (tracks: B1 to B4) , Drums – Dick Scott
Guitar – Billy Bauer (tracks: A1 to A4), Piano – Sal Mosca (tracks: B1 to B4)