If author Damon Runyon had ever turned his pen to the jazz community, not only would he have probably conjured up such flamboyant characters as wise crackin' as Eddie Condon but also Big City street-smart heavyweight Eddie ‘Lockjaw’ Davis and Chicago's own breathless speed freak, Johnny Griffin. There have been many exciting two-tenor outfits, but none quite matched the excitement generated by these guys. Davis, a man of great charm could, on the turn of a coin, quite effortlessly out-blow just about any contender or caress a ballad like no other. In contrast, Johnny Griffin – six years younger – was like a yapping terrier snapping at everyone's ankles. “I like to play fast,” admitted Griff, “I get excited, and I have to sort of control myself, restrain myself. But when the rhythm section gets cooking, I want to explode.” And that was about the size of it when this pair locked horns.

This must-have release pulls together three Jazzland albums: Griff And Lock, the aptly entitled Tough Tenors and possibly the pair's personal favourite Lookin' At Monk.

Save for the Davis original ‘Hey Lock’, of the remaining 18 tracks, eight are from the Thelonious Monk portfolio and with grace and humour vividly illustrate the affinity this quintet (pianist Junior Mance being truly on the money) displayed in their personal reassessment of ‘In Walked Bud’, ‘Well, You Needn't’ and ‘Rhythm-aning’. If anyone reading ever caught them in person then you'll also want this group's equally glorious Live At Minton's Playhouse (Fresh Sounds FSR-CD 680).