Henry B. Meets Alvin G. Once in a Wild

Full performer name: Spike Robinson/Al Cohn Quintet.
Spike Robinson/Al Cohn Quintet: Spike Robinson (tenor saxophone); Al Cohn (tenor saxophone); Richard Wyands (piano); Steve LaSpina (bass); Akira Tana (drums).
Recorded at the Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey on June 17, 1987. Includes liner notes by Leonard Feather.
After working as an engineer for 34 years, Spike Robinson finally became a full-time musician late in 1985. This outing with fellow tenor Al Cohn and a rhythm section comprised of pianist Richard Wyands, bassist Steve La Spina and drummer Akira Tana finds Robinson holding his own with his better-known sidemen. The two tenors had similar but complementary styles (Cohn's tone at this point in time was deeper and darker than Spike's), and their interplay and occasional tradeoffs are delightful. In addition to some standards, they perform Miles Davis' "Sippin' at Bells," Bob Brookmeyer's "Rustic Hop" and Johnny Mandel's "Low Life" on this easily recommended LP. ~ Scott Yanow