[2][3] It differs from typical Art Blakey releases as his regular quintet was expanded to form a big band for these arrangements.

In the mid-'90s, and again in the 2000s, this album was repackaged and released under John Coltrane's name, combining it with several songs from Winner's Circle, another album featuring Coltrane and recorded for the Bethlehem label in 1957.

This edition is of note as it features several alternate takes which were released here for the first time.

Allmusic awarded the album 2½ stars stating "Throughout his long career as a bandleader, drummer Art Blakey very rarely played with big bands.

This Bethlehem date was a one-shot affair, an opportunity for his powerful drumming to be heard propelling a 15-piece orchestra through a set of mostly new material".