Here is a band that deserved to exist outside the confines of the recording studio, both a prototype of the Heath Brothers group and an ensemble with its own inimitable sound. Jimmy Heath had assembled it once before, for his previous Riverside LP The Quota (OJCCD-1871-2); and the chemistry created there by brothers Percy and Albert, new stars Freddie Hubbard and Cedar Walton, and French horn master Julius Watkins was so striking that a sequel was called for. This time around the writing highlights include "Gemini," the blues waltz immediately covered by Cannonball Adderley on his In New York album (OJCCD-142-2) and a haunting arrangement of the standard "Goodbye." There is also some spectacular playing by Jimmy (who is featured on two tracks with just the rhythm section) and the young and daring Hubbard.

with Freddie Hubbard, Julius Watkins, Cedar Walton, Percy Heath, Albert "Tootie" Heath