This is a typical set from the great James Moody band of the mid-Fifties: lots of blues, a couple of exceptional ballads (including the alto sax version of “It Might as Well Be Spring,” which Moody also recorded on tenor), deep-dish soul (most obviously on the track “Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen”) and a spot for vocalese pioneer Eddie Jefferson. While the magnificent Moody holds the spotlight much of the way, there is also room for important contributions from trumpeter Dave Burns, a sturdy if unheralded rhythm section, and the then-upcoming composer/arrangers Benny Golson and Quincy Jones.

with Dave Burns, William Shepherd, Numa "Pee Wee" Moore, Sadik Hakim, John Lathan, Joe Harris, Eddie Jefferson, Jimmy Boyd, Iona Wade, Clarence Johnson