A group of actual top draw jazz musicians were an integral part of the cast of Jack Gelber's controversial ‘drugs’ play The Connection and it appears that every time a new production was staged a new musical score was called for. Freddie Redd's original material featuring Jackie McLean (both on stage and on record) first appeared on Blue Note in 1960. Later that year, Freddie rerecorded his music with two great players, pioneering bop trumpeter Howard McGhee and ill-fated tenor man Tina Brooks. A year later, Cecil Payne and Kenny Drew got the gig. Further scores ensued being composed separately by Cecil Taylor and Dexter Gordon. Taylor's contribution was never commercially taped whereas three of Dexter's contributions appeared on Blue Note's Dexter Calling (1961). While these two performances under review have their individual merits, first check out Freddie Redd's compelling Blue Note soundtrack before embarking on any further acquisitions.