Johnny Lytle, despite a long career (his first recording as a leader was in 1960), has never broken through as one of the major jazz vibraphonists. Two of his Muse sessions are reissued in full on this 1998 CD, 1980's Fast Hands and 1989's Happy Ground. Both dates have their commercial aspects and some of the material (such as "Tomorrow" from Annie, "Bein' Green," and "What Now My Love") is not worthy of Lytle. However the vibraphonist (heard in a sextet with keyboardist Mickey Tucker and a septet with organist David Braham and guitarist Melvin Sparks) is in fine form with tenor saxophonist Houston Person co-starring on both dates. The better selections on these soulful sessions include "Sister Silver," "Blues to Be There," and "Little Sunflower." ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
Greg Bandy (Drums), Idris Muhammad (Drums), Mark Larson (Cover Design), Gene Paul (Mastering), Johnny Lytle (Vibraphone), Melvin Sparks (Guitar), Fred Miller (Engineer), Charles Reilly (Photography), Rudy Van Gelder (Engineer), Joel Dorn (Producer), Houston Person (Sax (Tenor)), Fred Miller (Percussion), Joe Brescio (Mastering), Page Simon (Design), Johnny Lytle (Percussion), Page Simon (Illustrations), Houston Person (Producer), Lawrence Killian (Conga), Lawrence Killian (Percussion), David Braham (Organ), Nancy Dwyer (Design), Michael Rozek (Liner Notes), Sammy Figueroa (Percussion), Peter Martin Weiss (Bass), Mickey Tucker (Keyboards), Michael Weiner (Production Coordination), Sammy Figueroa (Conga)
