This was Jefferson's only recording for Riverside, but its three sessions gave him perhaps the strongest opportunity in his career to immerse himself in a large and thoroughly top-of-the-line jazz setting. All ten selections were arranged by Ernie Wilkins; six were accompanied by the ten-piece band involving trumpeters Clark Terry and Joe Newman, saxophonists Johnny Griffin and James Moody, and Wynton Kelly or Joe Zawinul on piano. Four others were backed by a quintet that included Griffin, pianist Junior Mance, and Sam Jones on bass. More than half the tunes have original lyrics by the singer--in all, a rare occasion for self-expression by one of the most original of jazz artists.

with Clark Terry, Ernie Royal, Jimmy Cleveland, James Moody, Johnny Griffin, Joe Zawinul, Sam Jones, Wynton Kelly, and others