• Little Johnny Griffin (1928-2008) was a first-class blower, a tenorman who believed in the inspiration of the moment and reacting to circumstances, as is self-evident on the two albums included in this set : “The Little Giant” (1959), “Change of Pace” (1961), both originally on Riverside.

• On ‘Little Giant’, Griffin never allows his supreme command of the instrument to obscure the emotional drive of his playing; he simply compels attention, backed by a quality rhythm section led by Wynton Kelly. On ‘Change of Pace’, the rich, swinging combination of two basses (one bowed, one plucked) and the addition of Julius Watkins’ cool, calm French horn - to contrast with Griffin’s knife-edged tenor - delivers unusual and absorbing jazz explorations.

• Added, as a bonus track, is Griffin’s 1961 Riverside 45 rpm single, “Soft and Furry / Guns of Navarone”.

• Personnel: Johnny Griffin (ts), Blue Mitchell (tp), Julian Priester (tb), Julius Watkins (frh), Wynton Kelly (p), Sam Jones, Bill Lee, Larry Gales (b), Albert Heath, Ben Riley (d) - 16 tracks - 24-Bit Digitally Remastered.