The Duke instrumentation, small

Recorded in 1958, this album is the alter ego of "Side by Side" recorded a year earlier.
These two discs are the reunion of Duke and Johnny "The Rabbit" Hodges, one of his most loyal and talented musicians.
Assisted by Harry "Sweet" Edison, Leslie Spann on guitar, Al Hall on bass and Jo Jones on drums of 5 pieces and Roy "Little Jazz" Eldridge on trumpet, Ben "The Frog" Webster on tenor, Laurence Brown on trombone, Billy Strayhorn on piano, Wendell Marshall on bass and Jo Jones on drums, the two friends / accomplices is having a field day, alternating hectic pieces drenched swing and blues more melancholy.
An opportunity to hear again play together Hodges and Webster for "Cotton Tail" in the 30s, to compare different sets of Edison and Eldridge and feasting once more minimalist set and still inspired by Duke Ellington.
A jubulatoire disk that does not cause melancholy.
A note in the sleeve notes two pictures that speak volumes, Hogdes addressed Ellington listening to the advice of the master attentively and Hodges and Webster face to face!