AMG review
Other than a scarce album for Masters of Jazz from 1959, this was Harold Ashby's debut as a leader. The underrated tenor saxophonist, one of Duke Ellington's finest soloists during his final decade, is teamed with three other alumni of Ellington's bands (trombonist Booty Wood, bassist Aaron Bell, and drummer Sam Woodyard), plus pianist Raymond Fol. The original program (six Ashby originals) is augmented by a new alternate take of "Scufflin'," plus a previously unreleased "When Sunny Gets Blue." Ashby's warm tenor is equally welcome on both warm ballads and jumping originals, blending in well with Wood's colorful trombone for a high-quality mainstream swing set. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
