Russell's album debut was included in the recent Complete 1956-1960 2CD set from Fresh Sound (Jazzwise 197) and still comes up crisp, even if it's a bit restrained and ‘cool’ compared to his later sextets or his big-band compositions. The detailed writing that went into the 12 pieces of the basic LP (here restored to its original running-order) is excellently realised by soloists such as Art Farmer and Barry Galbraith, and the rotating bass and drums are all expert readers who also swing. There are hints of Russell's theories being put rather effortfully into practice, but the frequent allusions to the blues prevent things from sounding too much like an exercise. The young Bill Evans (who made his trio debut shortly before the second of the three sessions here) is a huge asset, whether executing complicated written parts or improvising, and as a result the standout track is ‘Concerto For Billy The Kid’. Its up-tempo chart is a stiff challenge brilliantly realised, and its improv based on ‘I’ll Remember April’ (starting only at 2′30″) is exciting, even 60 years later. And that's one of two tracks that yielded an alternate take for CD reissues.