In December 1961 and January 1962, guitarist Grant Green, pianist Sonny Clark, and bassist Sam Jones recorded three albums’ worth of material — two featuring drummer Louis Hayes, and one with Art Blakey. Blue Note shelved all three, finally releasing them as Gooden’s Corner, Nigeria, and Oleo in 1980…but only in Japan. This two-CD set, which offers three additional tracks, was assembled in 1997. Green’s stinging guitar lines were perfectly complemented by Clark’s bluesy, rhythmic chords and subtle but focused solos. The key track is the 10-minute “It Ain’t Necessarily So”; the guitarist sends sheets of flame up the walls, as Blakey shouts encouragement from behind the kit.

– Phil Freeman