AMG Review of Max Roach Plus Four on the Chicago Scene

Scott Yanow
All Music Guide

Drummer Max Roach's abilities as a talent scout have often been overlooked through the years, but quite a few musicians (from Hank Mobley and Clifford Brown to Stanley Turrentine and Odeon Pope) have benefitted greatly from their association with Roach. An ill-fated trumpeter who the drummer helped introduce was Booker Little who made his recording debut at the age of 20 on this excellent LP. With George Coleman on tenor, pianist Eddie Baker and bassist Bob Cranshaw also in the quintet, this album might be brief (only around 31 minutes) but it has plenty of fine playing. Little's feature on "My Old Flame" is a highpoint, Coleman sounds fine on "Stompin' at the Savoy," the uptempo blues "Memo to Maurice" and "Stella by Starlight" are both quite enjoyable and Roach has several typically well-constructed solos. Recommended, as are all the mostly hard-to-find Roach-Little sessions.