The Original Bud Shank Quartet - The Pacific Jazz Years (2008)

"Alto saxophonist and flutist Bud Shank was one of the titans of the West Coast jazz scene in the 1950s and early '60s. His many recordings revealed him to be as much a Charlie Parker disciple as Art Pepper, but Shank's tone was less pointed and his use of space relied as much on melody as rhythm. This compilation contains Shank's first three dates as the leader in quintet and quartet settings for Pacific Jazz recorded between January and July of 1956. The first eight tracks on disc one are a live quintet side recorded with fellow reedman Bob Cooper. The interplay between Cooper and Shank is outstanding. Cooper was one of the few jazzmen of his era who was as accomplished on the oboe as he was on the saxophone. The following two studio sides that make up the balance of disc one and all of disc two are Shank's best-known quartet minus Cooper. These are all killer dates and offer a perfect view of the West Coast jazz period at its very best." (Thom Jurek, Allmusic)