Idle Moments (Blue Note Essentials LP)

Time and troubles seem to melt away during the 15 enrapturing minutes of "Idle Moments," the opening track of Grant Green's sublime 1963 album Idle Moments. As the piece unhurriedly unfurls all the unique colors of the ensemble present themselves with Green's soulful guitar joined by Duke Pearson's elegant piano, Bobby Hutcherson's crystalline vibraphone, Bob Cranshaw's reassuring upright bass, Al Harewood's subtle drums, and lastly Joe Henderson's magnificent tenor saxophone. The pace quickens for the rest of this tremendous set including the nimble Green original "Jean de Fleur," a bluesy take on John Lewis' MJQ standard "Django," and a driving performance of Pearson's original "Nomad.