The Pentagon - The Pentagon

1976 Recording

Bass – Sam Jones
Congas – Ray Mantilla
Drums – Billy Higgins
Piano – Cedar Walton
Tenor Saxophone – Clifford Jordan

Originally released by the Japanese East Wind label and made available briefly domestically on an LP from the defunct Inner City label, this quartet outing features pianist Cedar Walton, the underrated tenor saxophonist Clifford Jordan, bassist Sam Jones, and drummer Billy Higgins; Ray Mantilla adds his congas to three of the six selections. The group performs fresh versions of five jazz standards (including "Manteca," Kenny Dorham's "Una Mas," and Lester Young's "D.B. Blues") plus Jordan's "He Is a Hero." Superior to Walton's RCA recordings of the period and his upcoming output for Columbia, this obscure effort finds all of the musicians playing up to their usual level of creativity.

Scott Yanow