This reviewer will have to admit to not expecting much from this CD, having been disappointed by an earlier recording this year by Dizzy Gillespie—namely, the Live at Festival Hall album. I thought the performances were too long and Gillespie sounded like he was having an off night. However, this recording came as a surprise. Not only are the arrangements tight, but Gillespie’s playing is great. Admittedly, he doesn’t have the range that he had in the forties, but he makes intelligent use of his middle and low registers and his ideas are as sharp as ever. In fact, the similarity between his tone and that of early-sixties Miles is startling. The old favorites are played here again, and yet the group still makes “Manteca” sound fresh. Speaking of the group, Bebop and Beyond (sans Gillespie) recorded a tribute album of Monk compositions on Blue Moon a year or so ago that featured Joe Henderson (Plays Thelonious Monk). Mel Martin, the musical director, plays some soulful saxophone on “Manteca” and “Diddy Wah Diddy.” Also, on those same tracks, Randy Vincent shows that he is a talent to listen for in the future. George Cables lends considerable support throughout the album.