The music on this CD, while not necessarily "Absolutely the Best" of Dizzy Gillespie, contains quite a few gems, but all of the music is available in more complete form elsewhere. Seven of the numbers are from the trumpeter's Musicraft recordings of 1945-1946, including "Blue 'n' Boogie," "Groovin' High" (with Charlie Parker), "Salt Peanuts," and his big band's "Things to Come." In addition, Diz and Bird are heard playing "Perdido" at the 1953 Massey Hall concert, Gillespie performs "Cocktails for Two" from a European date in 1952 with Don Byas, and there are three obscure selections with strings during 1952-1953. Overall, this is an OK introduction to Dizzy Gillespie's music, although not too essential. — Scott Yanow