There will be plenty of older fans who will affectionately remember the old CBS double LP of this material from the 1970s, with its fetching gatefold painting of Parker. What Bird's Nest are providing is, in effect, a sort of deluxe centenary reboot, although there's really little need as this is material that's rarely, if ever, been out of print.

As those who know the 15 May recordings will tell you, this is a bop supergroup absolutely at the peak of its collective powers, made all the more interesting for the inclusion of compositions Parker didn't record that often (‘Round Midnight’, ‘Move’, ‘Wahoo’). And then there's Navarro – ablaze throughout, belying the fact he had barely weeks to live, and proving himself – Dizzy Gillespie aside – probably Parker's finest front– line partner.

The ‘bonus’ tracks are on disc two are no less inventive. Although heard in variable sound quality (Parker has tobattle a barking dog at one point!) they reveal, if anything, an even more relaxed and inventive leader, again choosing some unusual material (‘What's New’ segued with Monk's ‘Ruby My Dear’) and having great fun in playing tag with Rodney and Johnson. And if you think that the trombonist – and trombone in general – has something of a bystander role in bop listen to the subtle shades he adds in the ensembles, a foreshadowing of the three horn front-lines of later Jazz Messengers line-ups.

The final track catches Bird and Bud Powell playing the pianist's ‘Dance of The Infidels’ and it'd be no exaggeration to say that the set is worth the price for that alone. Legendary stuff. Unmissable.