Mo' Joe

Although one might think considering the personnel (which includes trumpeter Kenny Wheeler) and the time period that this CD reissue contains an avant-garde session, the music is generally straightahead hard bop. Drummer Philly Joe Jones, who has short solos on each of the six selections, is a dominant force even when playing brushes in the ensembles. He contributed two of the six selections (including “Trailways Express” which is a revisit to the Miles Davis arrangement of “Two Bass Hit”) and clearly inspires the younger musicians, all of whom were from England; altoist Peter King and tenor-saxophonist Harold McNair are particularly impressive. Other highlights include George Gershwin’s “Gone, Gone, Gone,” a surprisingly cooking version of “Here’s That Rainy Day” and Tadd Dameron’s “Ladybird.” – Scott Yanow