EVANS, BILL / MANNE, SHELLY / BUDWIG, MO - Empathy (Sealed) (LP)

This album came about through a fortuitous convergence of circumstances. Shelly Manne & His Men were appearing at New York's Village Vanguard, sharing the bill with the Bill Evans Trio. Creed Taylor set up a session at Rudy Van Gelder's studio with Evans and Manne sharing top billing. Manne's bass player, Monty Budwig, made up the trio. This was a busman's holiday for Evans, who was freed from the musical parameters he had set for his then-current trio. The result is that his playing seemed lighter, freer, and more relaxed than it had for a while (...) It's clear that everyone was having a good time and simply enjoying being relieved of their duties with their regular combos, even if for just one day (allmusic)