The most obscure group that drummer
Max Roach led actually recorded four albums in 1960; a quintet with tenor saxophonist
Stanley Turrentine (then a complete unknown), his brother
Tommy on trumpet, trombonist
Julian Priester and bassist
Bobby Boswell. Strange that this Enja release is the only one of their recordings thus far to appear on CD. Although the playing of
The Turrentines is not at the same innovative level as
Roach's prior group with
Booker Little and
George Coleman, they come up with consistently fresh statements during the well-rounded set and the tenorman was already instantly recognizable. Highlights include a couple of
Roach drum features, two
Kenny Dorham compositions ("Lotus Blossom," "The Villa") and "Night in Tunisia." ~ Scott Yanow