The Oscar Peterson Trio with pianist Ray Brown on bass and Ed Thigpen on drums is considered one of the best trio formations in jazz history. "Affinity", recorded in 1962, features the trio playing a wonderful selection of well-known standards, including Peterson's first recording of Bill Evans' "Waltz for Debby". "I find a kind of brightness and grittiness in the group's work that is almost entirely due to the leader's piano," wrote Pete Welding in his Down Beat review of the LP. When guitarist Herb Ellis left the Oscar Peterson Trio in 1958, the pianist did not replace him with another guitarist, but brought drummer Ed Thigpen on board instead. This decision proved to be a real "stroke of luck", as the chemistry between the three musicians was right from the start. This was particularly evident on albums such as "Affinity", on which the trio left the usual standards behind and presented a more sophisticated selection of songs. The album is a prime example of the trio's swing, subtlety and ensemble balance. Verve Acoustic Sounds Series: completely analog mastered from the original tapes by Ryan K. Smith at Sterling Sound, QPR pressing (180g), sturdy tip-on gatefold (Stoughton Printing), padded inner sleeve.