Cannonball Adderley - Somethin' Else

Somethin' Else is among the standard bearers in hard bop, featuring a veritable jazz dream team of Miles Davis, Hank Jones, Sam Jones and Art Blakely, completing Adderley's quintet. The playing is smooth, with the songs swinging smoothly in an airy kind of playfulness. Adderley and Davis are a two-headed dragon, with their respective instruments trading many of the solos while the others keep time, though each member is able to shine through their virtuosity. The players push hard while staying playful, such as on the title track, which features a measure in double time. It's not an odd occurrence, but it gives the band a brief moment to let loose and show their mastery.