Can you think of some releases out there where a sideman nearly steals the thunder from the main artist. I can think of several but #1 for me would have to be:

Brandon Fields on Dave Weckl's release, "Transition"

While many feel that Weckl's playing is almost too flamboyant or overbearing at times, Brandon absolutely smokes on every track of this release (alto, tenor and soprano). With no guitar present, he more than picks up the slack. While the music on this cd might not be for everyone, this cd is a quartet of musicians on steriods yet they have great chemistry.

Probably the first jazz album I ever owned had one - Maynard Ferguson's "Conquistador."
The song is "Soar Like an Eagle," composed by Bob James and featuring Bob on keyboards and Mark Colby on tenor sax.
The highlight of the song, of course, are those two solos. But then, Maynard was like that, especially during his Columbia years. He was omnipresent, but his sidemen always got plenty of room.
Soar Like an Eagle was just one of many where the sidemen stood out more. Another is Mark Colby on "Primal Scream" and Steve Khan on the cover of the theme from Star Wars.

Probably the first jazz album I ever owned had one - Maynard Ferguson's "Conquistador."
The song is "Soar Like an Eagle," composed by Bob James and featuring Bob on keyboards and Mark Colby on tenor sax.
The highlight of the song, of course, are those two solos. But then, Maynard was like that, especially during his Columbia years. He was omnipresent, but his sidemen always got plenty of room.
Soar Like an Eagle was just one of many where the sidemen stood out more. Another is Mark Colby on "Primal Scream" and Steve Khan on the cover of the theme from Star Wars.