A match made in heaven? More likely a recording studio where for a time both Clark Terry and Bob Brookmeyer were high profile cornerstones of New York's studio scene. Despite hectic schedules between 1961 and 1966, they still found time to lead their own quintet, which regularly appeared at the famed Half Note. Furthermore, they recorded three albums that may not have received the attention they deserved. From the outset it's quite obvious that both Clark and Bobby were kindred spirits blessed with a bag full of original ideas and a healthy sense of humour as they performed a self-composed band book plus the likes of ‘Blindman, Blindman’ (Herbie Hancock), ‘Hymn’ (Charlie Parker), ‘Straight No Chaser’ (Thelonious Monk'), ‘The King’ (Count Basie), ‘Mood Indigo’ (Duke Ellington), ‘Ginger Bread Boy’ (Jimmy Heath), Clark's tongue-in-cheek vocals on ‘I Want A Little Girl’ and ‘My Gal’ plus a fresh take on ‘The Battle Hymn Of The Republic’. If the unique combination of Clark's remarkable trumpet and flugel horn and Bobby's flatulent valve trombone wasn't sufficient in itself, the presence of either Roger Kellaway or Hank Jones at the piano proved an added plus to this gold standard unit. If you missed these records the first time around, don't make the same mistake twice.