Additional information
Personnel includes: Thad Jones (flugelhorn); Mel Lewis (drums); Jerome Richardson (soprano & alto saxophones; flute); Jerry Dodgion (alto saxophone, flute, clarinet); Eddie Daniels (tenor saxophone, flute, clarinet); Billy Harper (tenor saxophone, flute); Richie Kamuca (baritone saxophone, clarinet); Danny Moore, Snooky Young, Al Porcino, Marvin Stamm (trumpet); Eddie Bert, Benny Powell, Jimmy Knepper (trombone); Cliff Heather (bass trombone); Roland Hanna (piano, electric piano); David Spinoza (guitar); Richard Davis (acoustic & electric basses). Recorded at A&R Studios, New York, New York in January & May 1970. Includes liner notes by Thad Jones and Mel Lewis. All tracks have been digitally remastered. Of the many albums recorded by the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra, this was the greatest. Reissued on CD as part of a large Mosaic box set, this set introduced Jones' best-known composition, "A Child Is Born," and also has a colorful rendition of his sly "Tiptoe," and finds the big band ripping the roof off during the lengthy and very exciting "Fingers." The all-star cast (which includes flugelhornist Jones, drummer Lewis, trumpeter Marvin Stamm, trombonist Jimmy Knepper, tenor great Billy Harper, the reeds of Jerome Richardson, Jerry Dodgion and Eddie Daniels, keyboardist Roland Hanna, and bassist Richard Davis, among others) is well served by Thad Jones' inventive and swinging arrangements. A classic. ~ Scott Yanow
