Baritonist Pepper Adams’ final album as a leader (he died 14 months later) matches him with tenor saxophonist Frank Foster, pianist Tommy Flanagan, bassist Ron Carter and drummer Billy Hart for five of his straight-ahead if occasionally complex originals plus Foster’s “How I Spent The Night.” Adams still sounded in prime form at the time and, even if none of his tunes became standards, they served as strong and diverse vehicles for the musicians’ improvisations. A fine effort by a classic baritone saxophonist. – Scott Yanow