Although issued on the Cadet label, Musty Rusty follows in much the same vein as Lou Donaldson's previous LPs for Blue Note. Credit reunions with the brilliant guitarist Grant Green and the underrated drummer Ben Dixon for the seamless transition, and even if organist Billy Gardner can't quite yet fill the shoes of longtime Donaldson foil Big John Patton, the set's soulfulness and creativity still demand attention. Trumpeter Bill Hardman completes the lineup, which comfortably settles into a tight, focused groove with the opening "The Space Walk" and never lets up -- Donaldson originals like "Hippity Hop" and the title tune crackle with energy, and the melodic ingenuity of Green's guitar solos astounds.