ESSENTIAL JAZZ CLASSICS BILL EVANS: NEW JAZZ CONSEPTIONS This release contains Bill Evans debut album as a leader, New Jazz Conceptions (Riverside RLP-12-223), in its entirety, including an alternate version of No Cover, No Minimum that completes the session. The LP primarily showcases Evans in a trio format, but also contains three solo piano tracks, one of which is Evans earliest recording ever of his legendary composition Waltz for Debby. A couple of rare sessions from the same period, which feature Evans as a sideman on dates for guitarists Dick Garca and Joe Puma, have been added as a bonus. BILL EVANS, piano, TEDDY KOTICK, bass, PAUL MOTIAN, drums New York, September 18 & 27, 1956. *BONUS TRACKS: 13-15: Bill Evans (p), Dick Garca (g), Jerry Bruno (b), Camille Morin (d). New York, 1955. 16-18: Bill Evans (p), Eddie Costa (vib), Joe Puma (g), Oscar Pettiford (b), Paul Motian (d). New York, 1957. 4.5 Stars: DOWN BEAT original review: New Jazz Conceptions This is an important first-LP-as-leader, and on any count, is one of the more creative modern jazz piano albums in a number of months. (Nat Hentoff)