Like Masterpieces by Ellington this album also experiments with long cuts. It does, however, contain more traditionally big band material. Louis Bellson's drumming on "Skin Deep" is a big band rouser. Betty Roche's bopish vocal on "Take the 'A' Train" gives that tune an unusual and memorable twist. The album's most experimental selection is Ellington's fifteen minute "Tone Parallel to Harlem." This is an excellent album, but it didn't sell very well either. It's just too much music for the casual listener.