This set is rather unusual, for it is strictly instrumental, allowing
Ray Charles
a rare opportunity to be a jazz-oriented pianist. Two selections are with a trio (bassist
Oscar Pettiford
joins
Charles
on
"Black Coffee"
), while the other six are with a septet taken from his big band of the period. Key among the sidemen are
David Newman
(soloing on both tenor and alto) and trumpeter
Joseph Bridgewater
; highlights include
Quincy Jones
'
"The Ray,"
"My Melancholy Baby,"
"Doodlin',"
and
"Undecided."
should have recorded in this setting more often in his later years. ~ Scott Yanow