This album was the first I ever herd Buddy Rich play. I was already a drummer 13 years and hadn't herd any of Buddy's playing on record. This is his most famous cd of his 1960's big band albums he did on Pacific Jazz, and it's my favorite. Highlights of this album are of course, West Side Story, and Apples, but Hoe Down, Basically Blues, What Did I Say, and Uptight are also of my musical enjoyments. I don't think there was a drummer who wasn't influenced by Buddy Rich, and this cd is why! Any drummer or jazz fan will like this album.