J.R. Monterose (Frank Anthony Monterose Jr.) was a very individual stylist who was very much in evidence on the New York Jazz scene in the mid-50's. J.R. worked with vibist Teddy Charles and bassist Charles Mingus but came to the attention of Blue Note's owner, Alfred Lion because of his work with trumpeter Kenny Dorham's short-lived band "The Jazz Prophets". Lion gave Monterose his chance and J.R. became the first Caucasian musician to have his own 12' LP. It's a good one and a minor classic. Hard driving and swinging...Monterose brings his slashing, stacatto tenor to the fore with his front line partner, the versatile Ira Sullivan who can play anything with valves or keys but restricts himself to some stunning trumpet work here. The great rhythm section is in tune with Monterose's ideas and backs both horns with a drive and swing that's unequalled. Horace Silver on piano, the wonderful Chicago born, Wilbur Ware on bass and Philly Joe Jones on drums build fires under the horns. This formally rare recording is now available on Blue Note's RVG Series and it's good to have it back in circulation again. The album represents some of the best Jazz of the 50's by two musicians who were part of the real Jazz core. J.R. Monterose stands as one of the great individualists of the tenor saxophone and Ira Sullivan, who is still alive is not far behind. There are three Monterose compositions on the set and one by trumpeter Donald Byrd, one by bassist Paul Chambers and one by drummer Philly Joe Jones.

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