After three recordings co-leading the Jazz Brothers with pianist Gap Mangione, trumpeter Chuck Mangione headed his first solo record date. Joined by an all-star rhythm section (pianist Wynton Kelly, bassist Sam Jones, and drummer Louis Hayes) plus Joe Romano on tenor, flute, and alto, Mangionemostly sticks to bebop on four jazz standards (including Charlie Parker's "Big Foot") and three of his originals. Although only 21 at the time, he holds his own with the illustrious rhythm section and was starting to display his own musical personality. His next recording as a leader would not take place until 1970, and by then he was starting to explore the pop-jazz formula that gained him great commercial success. [Some reissues add alternate takes of "Solar" and "The Little Prince" to the original LP program.]