This set features a very logical matchup. Richie Cole's main influence has long been Phil Woods, so these concert performances pitting the two altoists together have plenty of fire and extroverted improvisations. With pianist John Hicks, bassist Walter Booker and drummer Jimmy Cobb backing the soloists, Woods and Cole really push each other on "Scrapple from the Apple," "Donna Lee" and "Side by Side." Tenor-great Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis sits in on "Save Your Love for Me," the younger altoist has "Polka Dots and Moonbeams" to himself and Cole and Woods have fun on a brief free-form "Naugahyde Reality." It's a generally high-powered and enjoyable set.

The second recording by pianist Bobby Enriquez is a crazy affair. Enriquez, who had the tendency to throw in an excess of silly song quotes, meets up with the equally crazy Richie Cole, and they bring out the worst in each other. With guitarist Bruce Forman, bassist Bob Magnusson and drummer Shelly Manne keeping the proceedings swinging, Enriquez and Cole generally start out their solos well before getting bogged down in topping each other's absurdity. This set is not without interest, and some of the humor (such as Cole's "vocal" on "Wild Man Blues") works, but much of it is tiresome by the second or third listen.

This set is altoist Richie Cole's best recording for Concord. Cole, whose exuberant brand of bebop is difficult to resist, turns such songs as "There'll Be Bluebirds over the White Cliffs of Dover," "Come Fly with Me" and "Flying Down to Rio" into heated jazz. With the help of the fine guitarist Vic Juris, bassist Ed Howard and drummer Victor Jones, Cole is in excellent form, contributing three originals and really ripping into "Blue Room."

This Muse album features the group that altoist Richie Cole and the late singer Eddie Jefferson co-led in the mid-'70s. They had a mutually beneficial relationship, with Cole learning from the older vocalist and Jefferson gaining extra exposure from associating with the popular young saxophonist. Their spirited set, which has two Jefferson vocals, is highlighted by "Waltz for a Rainy Be-Bop Evening," "New York Afternoon," "Stormy Weather" and "Alto Madness."