It was the late Michael Garrick who first conceived the idea of forming a quartet to celebrate the music of the Modern Jazz Quartet, enlisting Hart, Ridley and Brown to join him. I heard their debut gig and knew they were on to something worthwhile. Green has now come in for Garrick and this is the group's debut recording and pretty convincing it is. Their instrumentation replicates that of the MJQ itself and familiar items from that band's immortal repertoire are retained to which are added two pieces by Garrick, while the guest presence of O'Higgins is a reminder of the MJQ's collaboration with Sonny Rollins. He performs on three of the tenor titan's originals as well as on one of Mike's compositions. The first thing to say is that the sometimes surprising juxtaposition of tip-toe dynamics and finger-popping swing that was always at the heart of any MJQ performance is captured perfectly here. More important, these players consistently add value with their interpretations, collectively and as individuals. While the initial outlines of some of the original solos are hinted at, it's gratifying to report how well each man responds to the creative challenges posed by what is often familiar material. Take O'Higgins on Sonny's ‘The Stopper’, with its engaging stop-start motif, the team projecting O'Higgins into a hectic, flying solo before Hart comes in, as ever quick on the draw and brilliant. And so it goes for the entire album, Ridley and Brown like masters of the metronome, spot-on at every juncture, as Green finds his own engaging way into and through these miniature delights. Dazzling music, fresh yet respectful, you could say. Worth doing? Certainly. Worth buying? For sure.