With a taut and punchy brass section, cool already, and a finger-snapping groove, this is the sound of the modern, progressive big band at its pinnacle, popping bebop. The band features largely the same personnel Jones had assembled for the Free and Easy dates. From the original Free and Easy lineup: saxophonists Phil Woods and Jerome Richardson, bassist Buddy Catlett, pianist Patti Bown, and trombonist Melba Liston, hornist Julius Watkins, and trumpeter Clark Terry. Billy Byers, Thad Jones, Snooky Young, Freddie Hubbard and Oliver Nelson also feature.

There's some Basie-esque arrangements here on a bunch of tunes such as Benny Golson's 'Little Karen' and Jones' original 'Hard Sock Dance', and a hard-swinging version of 'Straight No Chaser', while Hubbard and Nelson distinguish themselves in the contemporary urban strut of Billy Byers' 'Robot Portrait'.

There isn't a wasted moment on The Quintessence , an essential to any appreciation of Jones and his artistry.