This album has an interesting concept, alternating four original
blues
with five adaptations of melodies from
classical
works by
Bach
.
The Modern Jazz Quartet
had long been quite adept in both areas, and despite a certain lack of variety on this set (alternating back and forth between the two styles somewhat predictably), the music is largely enjoyable. Vibraphonist
Milt Jackson
, pianist
John Lewis
(doubling here on harpsichord), bassist
Percy Heath
, and drummer
Connie Kay
were still all very much in their musical prime during the 21st year of
the MJQ
's existence. ~ Scott Yanow