There is nothing better, in my estimation, than a straight ahead jazz group without a pretentious bone in its body. This is exactly the feeling I got when listening to the current CD release entitled the John Doheny Quintet-one up, two back. Tenor Saxophonist John Doheny has put together a great selection of jazz compositions played by a fiery quintet that makes one want to sit in because it sounds like so much fun. John wrote four originals for the CD and the opening original 'One Up, Two Back' comes steaming out at a blistering tempo like early Bird and Dizz Be Bop recordings.

There are more notes in this head than most soloists play in three solos. Every one handles the solos extremely well and it all makes for good listening. Other members of the quintet are on Norm Quinn, trumpet and flugelhorn, pianist Ridley Vinson, bassist Allan Johnston, and drummer Stan Taylor. Tony Foster plays piano on 'One Up, Two Back.' A pleasant surprise on the CD is vocalist Colleen Savage. Colleen does a fine version of a tune by Jobim called 'Dindi' but her outstanding performance comes on the Cahn, Stein standard 'Time After Time'. The arrangement is superb. The CD carries the flavor of a live concert and the quintet touches on many different jazz feelings. I liked the unusual Tenor Sax cadenza in front of 'Once In Awhile.' I like surprises and I got one with the groups rendition of the old jazz standard 'Perdido'. John has put together a creative group full of good jazz soloists who are committed to "stretching out."

 I look forward to their next recording.