"You dont have to be a hard core fan to recognize that Konitz at his best is a wonderfully inspired improviser, and these 54-55 recordings capture him in peak form. His phrasing, attack, and the beautiful flow of ideas will make believers out of any but those who just cant hear what hes after with that tone at all. The only problem I have with early Konitz is that his pianists-including demigod Lennie-often employed very predictable phrasing. Incongruously, these same pianists specialized as composers in pieces of spectacular rhythmic complexity. Much of Ronnie Balls playing here, and his excellent Ronnies Tune and Froggy Day, are offered in evidence. Lees No Splices and Ablution are also musical tongue twisters a la Tristano. Seven tracks feature Peter Ind and Jeff Morton, with Percy Heath and Al Levitt doing duty on three live tracks. Both bassists sound great, both drummers subsidiary". (Jazz Times)
