Following the trio albums Movin' & Groovin' and Us Three, Parlan expanded to a quintet for his classic Speakin' My Piece, and in 1961 capped off his hot streak with the quintet album Up & Down. The 6-song set was anchored by Parlan's trusty trio with bassist George Tucker and drummer Al Harewood and featured the two new band members in guitarist and Blue Note stalwart Grant Green and brawny tenor saxophonist Booker Ervin. Opening with Ervin's catchy, hard-swinging number "The Book's Beat" the set's other highlights include Parlan's up-tempo title tune, Tucker's soulful blues-waltz "Fugee," Green's swaggering blues "The Other Part of Town," and the plaintive ballad "Lonely One" which was written by Babs Gonzales for Billie Holiday.
Side A
1: The Book's Beat
2: Up And Down
3: Fugee
Side B
1: The Other Side of Town
2: Lonely One
3: Light Blue