Anyone familiar with Mingus Ah Um, Blues And Roots, Jazz Portraits/Alice In Wonderland and Oh Yeah! can't fail to have been impressed by the blistering tenor sound of Ervin and his combination of weight and agility. Those who also notice piano players will be aware that the first three albums also included the distinctive sound of Parlan, who was actually responsible for introducing Ervin to Mingus. Between playing with him, their work together on this intelligent reissue consists of three albums (on Savoy, Candid and Prestige) led by the tenorman, while the pianist's two sessions were both for Blue Note – although Happy Frame Of Mind remained unreleased till the mid-1980s. At one level, there's quite a similarity to the reissue of Johnny Hodges/Ben Webster's Complete 1954-61 Small Group Studio Sessions (reviewed next month), since as befits the period much of the repertoire is blues-based, although that includes a couple in 6/4 and mixtures of modal material, even in the standards chosen. Both Ervin and Parlan have their undoubted quirks which may make them hard going for some listeners, but the music stands up better than much from this period.