I will be the first to admit that I am not a big MJQ fan. Nor did I ever really buy into the Third Stream thing. Like everything else it had its high points, not to be dismissed but much like prog rock, it was best to be avoided.
Now that I have led you down that path, let me assure you that that is not what we have here.Lewis penned the title tune and it's no slouch but it is the handful of standards the make up the rest of this lp, that really speak for it. Even though Lewis is the obvious leader on this date, it is the under appreciated Bill Perkins that plants this record firmly in the Pacific Jazz west coast pantheon. I overlooked this lp far too long. Don't make the same mistake.
1. Love Me or Leave Me
2. I Can't Get Started
3. Easy Living
4. 2 Degrees East - # Degrees West
5. Skylark
6. Almost Like Being In Love
John Lewis - piano
Percy Heath - bass
Bill Perkins - tenor sax
Chico Hamilton - drums
Jim Hall - guitar
PJ-1217
