The album 'Empathy' was recorded on August 14, 1962 at A&R Studios in New York. It is a collaboration between Bill Evans' trio and drummer Shelly Manne, who joins Evans' group (with Chuck Israels on bass) to form a quartet on most tracks.
The session was produced by Jim Taylor for Verve Records, and the album is noted for its focus on musical interaction and shared sensitivity among the musicians, hence the title 'Empathy'. It includes original compositions by Evans and jazz standards.
The album was originally released in 1962 and has been reissued in multiple formats. It is considered a notable example of Evans' early 1960s style, showcasing his lyricism and chemistry with Manne, though it did not achieve the same level of fame as some of the pianist's other works.