Hawk Flies High (1961)/ The Hawk Relaxes

Combi van 2 albums. Allmusic over "Hawk Flies High" (1957): "The producer of this session had the good sense to invite the legendary tenorist to pick his own musicians, and Hawkins surprised him by asking for young boppers J.J. Johnson and Idrees Sulieman in addition to the potent rhythm section of Hank Jones, Oscar Pettiford, Barry Galbraith, and Jo Jones. It produced strong performances, with Hawkins still very much at the top of his game, while both Johnson and Sulieman catch fire as well." (Scott Yanow) En over "The Hawk Relaxes" (1961): "Kenny Burrell joins the legendary saxophonist in this quintet setting, with no hint of the guitarist's then developing laid-back side. Underrated Ronnell Bright (p) proves a veritable equal to Hawkins even more than Burrell. But it is the burgeoning talent of Ron Carter (b) and Andrew Cyrille (d) who mark their territory, not as the maverick individualists they would become, but as supple performers who modestly understand the strength of Hawkins." (Michael G. Nastos)