Critic's Review
Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
This enjoyable straight-ahead LP has two separate Savoy sessions featuring altoist Phil Woods. The first four titles (which also have pianist Hall Overton, bassist Teddy Kotick and drummer Nick Stabulas) was from a "Music Minus One" date. Woods takes boppish and consistently inventive solos on four standards (including "Pennies From Heaven" and "It's Only A Paper Moon"). The flip side finds Woods performing as a member of pianist George Wallington's Quintet (along with trumpeter Donald Byrd, bassist Knobby Totah and drummer Stabulas). The group performs three numbers including Bud Powell's "Dance Of The Infidels" and a 10 1/2 minute version of "Ow." While Byrd is heard in the early stage of his career, Phil Woods already sounds quite mature and easily recognizable.
