The relaxed, one-time-only attitude of this blowing session should in no way obscure the notable results. Five jazz giants heard at the peaks of their respective careers merge into a real band, as befits their previous achievements. Leader Red Garland and drummer Philly Joe Jones go back to the first classic Miles Davis quintet, while the drummer and bassist Sam Jones were virtually a house rhythm section for Riverside/Jazzland. Add the skills at forming a two-horn front line that trumpeter Blue Mitchell honed in Horace Silver's band, and that baritone saxophonist Pepper Adams applied in his partnership with Donald Byrd, and an inspiring program with such off-the-beaten-path items as "Take Me in Your Arms" and the Adams original "Excerent!," and you get an album where the groove is better than good.

with Blue Mitchell, Pepper Adams, Sam Jones, Philly Joe Jones