The protean Quincy Jones returned to the recording studio as a leader after a long stretch in Hollywood with this triumphantly contemporary big band album. He re-established himself firmly with his big band jazz base while casting a keen eye on the pop scene and the world of electric instruments (even Ray Brown is caught playing superb electric bass here). Laid out is his uncanny ability to attract the biggest names in jazz as sidemen: such as Freddie Hubbard, Roland Kirk, Hubert Laws, J.J. Johnson, Kai Winding, Jimmy Cleveland, and Jerome Richardson.

For jazz buffs, the long, dramatic title track from the then-raging musical Hair is a highlight; Hubbard positively sizzles on muted trumpet, and the brash Kirk blasts through the grooving rhythm section under heavy reverb. This is one of the great peaks of Creed Taylor’s A&M period, and is a perfect blend of all the hippest currents that were cooking up in the scene at the time.

SHM-CD (Super High Material CD) is a high quality CD. It is fully compatible with all CD players. To achieve a higher level of quality, SHM-CD utilizes a special polycarbonate material that leads to additional clarity, depth and definition of sound.

Tracklist:

1 Dead End
2 Walking In Space
3 Killer Joe
4 Love And Peace
5 I Never Told You
6 Oh, Happy Day