[2]: 2  The band had first performed in public in November 1959;[2]: 2  the original drummer was Dave Bailey, but he was replaced by Lex Humphries prior to the recording sessions.

[2]: 18  Argo knew the commercial value of having successful jazz singles; this may have influenced the length of the tracks on the album,[2]: 3  only one of which exceeds five minutes.

"Serenata" has a chord structure that suits improvisation; Golson added an introduction and "a hard 6/8 groove on the theme chorus".

[2]: 3  "Avalon" is taken at a higher tempo, and features solos from piano, trombone, trumpet, and saxophone, all before the full melody is played.

[2]: 3  Golson's ballad "I Remember Clifford" is a feature for Farmer; he had already recorded it twice, but this version, in the words of Bob Blumenthal, is a "heartbreaking reading.