Shelly Manne's Quintet was recorded extensively at San Francisco's Black Hawk club for three nights in 1959. Although not the most significant group that the drummer led, this edition (with trumpeter
Joe Gordon, tenor saxophonist
Richie Kamuca, pianist
Victor Feldman, and bassist
Monty Budwig) was certainly capable of playing high-quality bebop. Originally their output was released on four LPs; the reissue expanded the music to five CDs. The first volume adds an alternate take of
Frank Rosolino's "Blue Daniel" to a set that includes swinging versions of "Blue Daniel," "Poinciana," "Our Delight," and "Summertime." The extended performances are easily recommended to straight-ahead jazz fans. ~ Scott Yanow