This well produced 2CD set with some fine Francis Wolff iconography combines Dolphy's first three albums under his own name – Outward Bound (Prestige/New Jazz), Out There (New Jazz) and Far Cry (New Jazz) – all recorded in 1960 with a 1961 session under Oliver Nelson's name entitled Straight Ahead (Prestige/New Jazz). The common thread – or marketing hook – is Roy Haynes exemplary drumming. What is striking about these albums, all recorded within an 11-month time span, is the growing confidence, assurance and sheer originality of Dolphy's playing. This did not derive solely from recording under his own name since by now he was dining at the top table of jazz, alongside the likes of John Coltrane, Bill Evans, Charles Mingus, Oliver Nelson, Ornette Coleman, Benny Golson and Freddie Hubbard, all of whom he was either currently recording with, or would shortly do so. This set, presenting the startling beginnings of his career as a solo artist on records, shows where Dolphy's music was coming from and, when placed alongside the recent acclaimed Resonance release Eric Dolphy: Musical Prophet from 1963, where his music was going.