Here is a swinging session of well-conceived ideas, a sure touch and strong direction that bears the individual stamp of Elliot Lawrence. It is stimulating music… music with melodic incentive, a flourishing sense of improvisation and a scintillating blend of modern tonal colors. The pace-setting The Cats bands together a cool collection of sidemen for a back-alley conclave, highlighted by the driving alto sax of Gene Quill. The title tune, Jump Steady is a highland swing paraphrasing with a Scot-free-for-all sound featuring another sax star, tenor man Al Cohn. Look-Look, Yes, Yes and Blues On The March, which illustrates the inherent potentials and flexibility of the blues, around out the brace of high-flying selections. Elliot’s piano patter institutes a tempo change with the persuasive ballad entry, Lover Take All and also in the easy-going vein are the gliding, reminiscent Melancholy Waltz, the tantalizing tango Cuidado and the smooth and silvery mood piece, A Touch Of Amber. The happy listening mood is enhanced, too, by the vocal stylings of Danny Riccardo in the romantic ballad, Vain. The orchestra: Bernie Glow, Stan Fishelson, Don Stratton, Burt Collins, trumpets; Eddie Bert, Bill Elton, Chauncey Welsch, trombones; James Buffington, French horn; Al Cohn, Gene Quill, Sam Marowitz, Morty Lewis, Charles O’Kane, reeds; Russ Saunders, bass; Sol Gubin, drums; Elliot Lawrence, piano.