This is a particularly interesting hard bop-oriented set led by drummer Philly Joe Jones. Most unusual is “Gwen,” a Jones ballad that has the leader on both piano and (via overdubbing) drums in a trio with bassist Jimmy Garrison. Otherwise, trumpeter Blue Mitchell, trombonist Julian Priester, tenor saxophonist Bill Barron, either Dolo Coker or Sonny Clark on piano, Garrison, and Jones form a sextet that performs modern tunes by Barron, Priester, and Jones, in addition to “I’ll Never Be the Same” and Philly Joe’s feature on “Gone” (based on the Miles Davis/Gil Evans interpretation of “Porgy and Bess”). A well-conceived, diverse, and recommended CD reissue. – Scott Yanow