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This was Pepper Adams's second album under his own leadership, done originally for World Pacific in 1957. From the beginning Adams established himself as a big-boned (for a little guy), forceful baritone sax player, though capable of playing lyrically as well. Those characteristics are on full display here. The opening track, MINOR MISHAP, a medium-up Tommy Flanagan composition, features a handsome and direct Adams solo. Trumpeter Lee Katzman is very much in the Fats Navarro mold (open horn, clear tone, great phrasing), though on HIGH STEP he plays at times with a sparseness reminiscent of Miles Davis.

The highlight of this excellent CD is ZEC, a Thad Jones number taken at a fiery tempo that gives everyone a chance to shine, though pianist Jimmy Rowles is particularly inventive here. Doug Watkins and Mel Lewis round out the rhythm section: Watkins is given some very interesting solo spots, mainly on BLACKOUT BLUES and the bonus track FOUR FUNKY PEOPLE; his presence is felt to great effect throughout on the first mentioned tune. This is a solid mainstream-modern jazz outing featuring established (though at the time still young: Adams had just won Down Beat's New Star award) players at their best.

Pepper was in Los Angeles in 1957 after a brief stint with the Kenton band and took the oppurtunity to make some small group recordings. His tone is not as darkly compact as on JAZZ MEN DETROIT also known as KENNY CLARKE MEETS THE DETROIT JAZZMEN from 4/56, but this is how they wanted it and it is acceptable to me, while some of his other recordings were not. Trumpeter Lee Katzman is on 5 of the 7 tracks and is a good suprise, playing better than several better known players I can think of would have. Unfortunatley Alone Together is not a feature for his mournful baritone. The bass player Watkins actually plays the first 16 bars of melody then Pepper takes over followed by the other soloists. The final track is a fresh bonus quartet track so you get 45 min. of music.---- Oh by, the way the complete Donald Byrd/Pepper Adams from original catalog Blue Note is, under Donald's name OFF TO THE RACES, BYRD IN HAND, AT THE HALF NOTE, THE CATWALK, and ROYAL FLUSH. The first 2 are sextet sessions with either Jackie McLean or Charlie Rouse added to the front line. Highlights are Jeannine from the HALF NOTE and Each Time I Think of You from THE CATWALK

Right from the start Pepper Adams was as good as he was ever going to be, which was without peer. He lived a relatively long and straight life, which had it been terminated sooner might have earned him the adulation of a Fats Navarro or Clifford Brown. You couldn't do better than to begin here.