In the 1950s,
Herbie Mann
frequently shared the spotlight on record dates with other flutists. This
V.S.O.P
. LP, a reissue of a set originally for
Mode
and also out for awhile on
Premier
, matches
Mann
(who here also plays piccolo, clarinet and tenor) with
Buddy Collette
(switching between flute, clarinet, tenor and alto) in a quintet with pianist
Jimmy Rowles
, bassist
Buddy Clark
and drummer
Mel Lewis
. The results are generally pleasing, if somewhat lightweight, with such obscure tunes as
"Here's Buddy,"
Rowles
'
"Pop Melody,"
"Here's Pete"
and
's
"Theme from 'Theme From'"
alternating with three
standards
Chico Hamilton
"Morning After."
The most interesting aspect to this lightly swinging music is the constant switching around of the lead voices on their various horns. ~ Scott Yanow