Eddie Costa made only a few dates as a leader prior to his sudden death as a result of an automobile accident at the age of 31; this 1957 session is the best of them. Alternating between piano and vibes,
Costa leads a quintet that includes
Phil Woods,
Art Farmer,
Teddy Kotick, and
Paul Motian, featuring enjoyable interpretations of
"I Didn't Know What Time It Was" and
Dave Brubeck's still fairly new
"In Your Own Sweet Way," the latter of which focuses on
Costa's vibes and
Farmer's muted trumpet, with
Woods switching to the piano. Each of the originals by
Costa,
Woods, and
Farmer is stimulating, although they have undeservedly languished in obscurity. Recorded for the long-defunct
Mode label,
V.S.O.P. reissued this forgotten treasure on CD in 1992. ~ Ken Dryden
