William "Red" Garland was one of the most popular and influential pianists of the late 1950s and early '60s thanks to his affiliation with the first great Miles Davis quintet and his own trio recordings for Prestige, its subsidiaries, and other independent labels. Garland (1923-1984) never sounded better than in 1959, when the two trio dates that comprise this disc were recorded. Of the nine performances herein, six were made live at the Prelude, in New York's Harlem, with Garland's regular trio of the time, featuring steady bassist Jimmy Rowser and Charles "Specs" Wright, a master of the brushes, on drums. The remaining three, also with Wright, were cut about two months earlier in the studio and were anchored by bassist Doug Watkins, whose spot-on time-playing and humming arco work are much like his better-known cousin, Paul Chambers (also in Miles Davis's first great quintet). As the set's title indicates, Garland's groups are in a relaxed mood. The leader's solos, little gems of medium-tempo swing (only "We Kiss in a Shadow" showcases his lovely ballad touch), ring with the hallmark chiming block chords for which he was justifiably acclaimed.

with Jimmy Rowser, Doug Watkins, Specs Wright