Social Call
by Scott YanowTenor saxophonist Charlie Rouse, 59 at the time, is in top form for this bop-oriented set. Teamed up with trumpeter Red Rodney, pianist Albert Dailey, bassist Cecil McBee and drummer Kenny Washington, Rouse performs Don Sickler arrangements of four jazz standards (including "Half Nelson" and Tadd Dameron's "Casbah"), plus an obscurity ("Greenhouse") and his own "Little Chico." Old friends Rouse and Rodney work off each other very well, and the results are swinging and enjoyable.