Pepper Adams, Donald Byrd – Motor City Scene

Motor City Scene, also released as Stardust, by American saxophonist Pepper Adams and trumpeter Donald Byrd, was recorded in 1960 and released on the Bethlehem label. Donald Byrd and Pepper Adams - and their ace band, including Kenny Burrell, Tommy Flanagan and Paul Chambers - deliver what is one of the finest performances of "Stardust" you'll ever hear on this album. And that's just the first track; this is Donald Byrd hitting his first peak, and summoning a band behind him that was formidable, and deft.

Trumpeter Donald Byrd and baritonist Pepper Adams always made for a potent team. With guitarist Kenny Burrell, pianist Tommy Flanagan, bassist Paul Chambers and drummer Louis Hayes (using the pseudonym of 'Hey Lewis') completing the sextet, this was a particularly strong group. For the Bethlehem LP, Byrd and Adams play two of Pepper's originals, Errol Garner's rarely performed 'Trio,' Thad Jones' 'Bitty Ditty' and a lengthy and memorable rendition of 'Stardust.' Well worth searching for.

-Scott Yanow, AllMusic