Variations on the Scene subtitled "A Jazz Hour from
Max Roach" compiles 12 of his sessions with two different bands: his own quintet in 1959 with
Booker Little and
George Coleman in the hard bop years, and with
Sonny Clark's trio in 1960. Standouts from these include "Gandalfo's Bounce," by
Little, and the title cut composed by
Coleman. The remaining five cuts feature members of
Clark's fine band and include excellent readings of his tunes "Sonny's Crib," "Minor Meeting," and "Junka." This is solid hard bop played with great style, swing and elegance and is more an adjunct to a collection by
Roach -- or
Clark for that matter -- than an introduction.