[4] It was recorded when Farmer was adjusting to moving from Horace Silver's band, where he received a high level of rhythmic and harmonic support from the rhythm section, to Gerry Mulligan's quartet, where there was no piano and only light backing.

[5] The Penguin Guide to Jazz selected the album as part of its suggested Core Collection stating "The rhythm section is beautifully balanced and offers exemplary support to the leader, whose playing summons elegance, fire and craftsmanship in almost perfect accord, with his ballad playing particularly refined".

[1] The Allmusic review called the album "an excellent showcase for trumpeter Art Farmer in the 1950s".

"Stablemates" is a 36-bar number in ABA form, with each A section lasting 14 bars; it contains several ii-V-I progressions.

The ballad "Too Late Now" has a brassier trumpet performance from Farmer, as opposed to his breathier playing on the other tracks.