Phil Woods and Donald Byrd – The Young Bloods (Prestige Mono) (AP 33rpm Vinyl LP)

Cut from the analogue masters by renowned mastering engineer Kevin Gray

180-gram pressing by Quality Record Pressings

Deluxe high-gloss tip-on album jacket

For this early hard bop date, altoist Phil Woods and trumpeter Donald Byrd were co-leaders. In fact, the music had at one point earlier on been released with Byrd getting first billing. Yet Woods, the spirited altoist, contributed four of the six tunes (including “House of Chan” and “In Walked George”) and consistently takes solo honors on the record. With pianist Al Haig (who did not record that extensively during this period), bassist Teddy Kotick and drummer Charlie Persip offering stimulating accompaniment, All Music Guide says “This is an easily recommended release (despite its brief LP length) for straight-ahead jazz collectors.”

Originally released in 1956

Phil Woods, alto saxophone
Donald Byrd, trumpet
Al Haig, piano
Teddy Kotick, bass
Charlie Persip, drums