Duke Pearson. "Wahoo". Japanese CD. T&S Corp. out of Tokyo under license from United Artists. This is the Blue Note album "Wahoo" by Duke Pearson.tH8S EJC-803. Donald Byrd, Bob Cranshaw, Mickey Roker, Joe Henderson. Amanda, Beguine, Farewell Michelle, Wahoo, ESP, Fly Little Bird Fly. AMG REVIEW: A truly wonderful advanced hard bop date, Wahoo captures pianist Duke Pearson at his most adventurous and creative. With the exception of Donald Byrd's closing "Fly Little Bird Fly," Pearson wrote all of the material on this six-song album, and his compositions are clever, melodic, and unpredictable without being cloying or inaccessible. He has assembled a first-rate sextet to perform the material, enlisting trumpeter Byrd, tenor saxophonist Joe Henderson, bassist Bob Cranshaw, alto saxophonist/flautist James Spaulding, and drummer Mickey Roker. Even the subdued "Wahoo" and "ESP" search out new territory with their subtle themes and exploratory solo sections. The key to the success of Wahoo is that Duke Pearson is a gifted arranger, creating nimble, challenging arrangements that are accessible, but reveal more details upon each listen. As a pianist, he has moved beyond his initial Bud Powell influence and reveals new aspects of his technique. Henderson, Byrd, and Spaulding are equally impressive, helping elevate Wahoo to one of the finest sophisticated hard bop dates Blue Note released in the mid-'60s. — Stephen Thomas Erlewine. $25.00 plus postage. Blue Mitchell, Blue Note album "The Thing To Do". T&S Corp. CD out of Tokyo under license from United Artists. EJC-806. Junior Cook, Chick Corea, Gene Taylor. Fungii Mama, Mona's Mood, The Thing To Do, Step Lightly, Chick's Tune. AMG REVIEW:This Blue Mitchell date is a classic, particularly the opening "Fungii Mama," which is really catchy. The trumpeter's quintet of the period (which includes tenor saxophonist Junior Cook, the young pianist Chick Corea, bassist Gene Taylor, and drummer Al Foster) also performs two Jimmy Heath tunes and a song apiece by Joe Henderson ("Step Lightly") and Corea. The record is prime Blue Note hard bop, containing inventive tunes, meaningful solos, and an enthusiastic but tight feel. Highly recommended. — Scott Yanow $25.00 plus postage.