by Scott YanowThis double LP (whose contents have been reissued as part of three CDs) has all of the Modern Jazz Quartet's earliest recordings. In addition to vibraphonist Milt Jackson, pianist John Lewis and bassist Percy Heath, the group's original drummer Kenny Clarke is on 12 selections while his replacement Connie Kay is on the remaining six songs. This definitive set has the original versions of such compositions as "Django," "Ralph's New Blues," "Concorde" and "Vendome" in addition to the four-part "La Ronde Suite" and swinging renditions of "All the Things You Are," "One Bass Hit," "I'll Remember April" and "Softly as in a Morning Sunrise." This is historic and still very enjoyable music that allows one to hear the MJQ at the very beginning.