Booker Ervin - Groovin' High

This CD reissue has four selections from the same sessions (but not released on the original sets) that resulted in The Freedom Book, The Blues Book, and The Space Book. "Groovin' High" features the intense tenor of Booker Ervin playing comparatively lighthearted bebop in a quintet with trumpeter Carmell Jones, pianist Gildo Mahones, bassist Richard Davis, and drummer Alan Dawson.

The other numbers ("The Second #2," "Bass-IX," and a brief "Stella by Starlight") match Ervin with the unbeatable trio of pianist Jaki Byard, Davis, and Dawson. Although these performances are not quite classic, Booker Ervin fans will want this CD to round out their collections, for Ervin was at the peak of his powers during this era.

Scott Yanow AMG