The session starts with a tear-up on Blues By Five, and no mistake, thirteen minutes, give or take a few seconds. After a while I began to worry about the bass player, playing four to the bar, nonstop at breakneck tempo, the changes flashing by, can't stop, mustn't stop, daren't stop, every note a gem - then suddenly he plays this marvellous solo for about a minute and leads the band back in again with unabated dash and vigour. Beats me how they do that.

Rendell doesn't fuss or play tricks when he plays. It's down-to-earth jazz, a bright clear sound and very melodic, rather than the purely harmonic stuff we get from an awful lot of other people. Ian Carr is the same, a perfect partner for Don, with a dazzling technique. He is listed on the cover as only playing flugelhorn, but he plays in a tin mute on one number, so unless he's using a trombone mute in the flugelhorn he's on trumpet, too. It is difficult with some people to know which is which. I know guys who can play double C on the flugelhorn. Carr certainly plays up high enough on this session.

Shades of Blue is a funeral piece, sad and sombre. Makes a change from the riot at the beginning. Michael Garrick fills in, solos and, at times, leads from the piano. The perfect pianist in a perfect rhythm section. Who could ask for more? Trevor Tomkins is there at all times, unobtrusive behind solos, and flashing out for the odd brilliant drum solo at the right moments in time. He has his drums tuned up pretty high, so that the sound is fresh and crisp and brittle, almost as if he has just brought them in out of the frost.

Hot Rod, a joint composition of Garrick and Carr is a frolic, a fast romp. Rendell's own composition, Garrison '64, perhaps a reminder of when he was in the French Foreign Legion (just kidding) has a frisky melody line rather like a call. You shout and I'll answer sort of thing. I like it. They certainly seem to be having fun when they play it, as they do on all the titles on this session. The whole recording is a lot of fun for them and for us, too.

Promise, by Michael Garrick, has an unusual line, with a thoughtful, fluid solo from Ian to end things. Only six titles on this CD, but you get your money's worth just the same. This is a most talented group, great players, very professional and very entertaining.
Ron Simmonds