Birds and Ballads

This intriguing set from the late '70s features saxophonists Art Pepper, Joe Henderson and Joe Farrell taking turns in front of a fine rhythm section comprised of Stanley Cowell on piano, Roy Haynes on drums and Cecil McBee on bass. Half of the eight tracks are Charlie Parker compositions while the other half are ballads (including yet another version of Thelonious Monk's "'Round Midnight"). The end result is pleasant enough, but hardly essential stuff; then again, it is worth the price of admission to hear a solid bop rhythm section do its thing.