Tenor saxophonist
Buck Hill made his debut as a leader with this release, cut when he was already 51. Reissued on CD with an alternate take of "S.M.Y." added, this is a superior quartet set matching
Hill with pianist
Kenny Barron, bassist
Buster Williams and drummer
Billy Hart.
Hill received some initial publicity because of his unusual situation, being a mailman during the day and a part-time player at night. However, he certainly sounds like a world-class post-bop player on this date, exploring
Williams' blues "Tokudo," two standards ("Yesterdays" and "Oleo"), and three of his own modal yet swinging originals. Recommended.
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Scott Yanow, Rovi