Billboard : 11/03/1956
Score of 78

In this LP, guitarist Raney is framed by B. Brookmeyer on valve trombone and three rhythm. The guitar-trombone combination is unusual and makes for some provocative sounds. The solos are well integrated and deftly laid out. Much of the success of the album derives from an unusually swinging rhythm section: O. Johnson, drums; T. Kotick, bass; Hank Jones and Dick Katz, sharing piano chores. The Brookmeyer original, No Male For Me and Get Off That Roof, make fine demo bands. Fresh, vital music-making that will sell readily to admirers of East Coast modern.

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Saturday Review
Whitney Balliett : 11/10/1956

Raney and Brookmeyer have proved their mutual sensibilities before on records, and this is no exception. Raney is perhaps the most subtle of modern guitarists, and Brookmeyer, a valve trombonist, has unlimited ideas as well as a perfect technique. T. Kotick and O. Johnson are on all the sides and Hank Jones and D. Katz split the three originals and five standards. Katz improves wonderfully, and Jones is impeccable, as usual. Recommended.

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Down Beat : 12/12/1956
Nat Hentoff : 4.5 stars

Jimmy Raney‘s first full LP for ABC-Paramount features Bob Brookmeyer, plus Osie Johnson, Teddy Kotick, and pianists Dick Katz and Hank Jones on four apiece. Among the several virtues of this recital in the art of quick-thinking improvisation on relatively challenging thematic-and-chordal structures is the lucidity and logic with which all here approach, develop, and roof their solos. The two pianists combine swift taste with swinging time. Johnson and Kotick are excellent.

The two horns (counting Raney) individually unfold into fresh imaginative patterns and collectively could be twins in so far as their play of minds and emotions travel sensitive, complementary lines. The heads are neatly intriguing (including the originals which are more blueprints for blowing at this session than intended for future repertoire use, I would guess). In summary, superior modern jazz chamber work, an example of the not-too-frequent phenomenon of postgraduate jazz musical intellects making of their satisfying ad lib searching an emotional experience. The ballads (Tracks 2 and 8) are performed with unhackneyed sensitivity.

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Liner Notes by Jimmy Raney

In the tense atmosphere of the recording studio, I have found only a few musicians with whom I feel at ease. I believe that almost any jazz musician will tell you the same thing. What you need is not only technical proficiency – even brilliance – but a man whose ideas stimulate you, and who is turn stimulated by your ideas. This is the kind of relationship, to my mind, that produces good jazz. I believe Bob Brookmeyer meets all specifications. We are at ease playing together, we get fresh ideas from each other.

Hank Jones plays piano on No Male For Me, The Flag Is Up, No One But Me and Too Late Now. Dick Katz is on the remaining four. Teddy Kotick is on Bass and Osie Johnson is on Drums on all of the sides. I felt that the rhythm section worked extremely well together and with Bob and me.

On the technical side, the importance of the studio and engineers cannot be over-emphasized. Some mechanical set-ups may be fine for some groups, but the equipment and the attitude and taste of the engineer may make another group sound mediocre. Engineers Frank Abby and Earl Brown did a first rate job for us.

Even when you have met all these requirements, you must still cross your fingers and hope for the best. I believe this record to be the best I have made to date. I hope you enjoy the record. It was a gratifying experience for me.