Nat Simpkins' fourth album, his third for Bluejay, finds him in a somewhat different mode than his previous undertakings. It's a kind of return to the roots thing, as he settles in New Orleans to record a play list designed to pay homage to the music of the Crescent City, past and present. The present is primarily covered by six Simpkins originals. With his gruff, tough tenor style, Simpkins' way with this music comes naturally. That he dedicates this album to Stanley Turrentine and Buddy Tate makes it quite clear who Simpkins has looked to for inspiration. Being gruff and tough doesn't mean that one can't be tender or light when the occasion calls for it, and one of those occasions is on an up-tempo version of "Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans." A member of one of the city's most prolific jazz families, Jason Marsalis, helps out on vibes and on the album's nod to the Latin beat, "Latin Lover." The role of the ballad in jazz, usually to provide a vehicle to showcase the lyrical warmth of the performer, is represented by the engaging "The Court of Two Sisters," with solo space for the minimalist piano styling of Peter Martin. The blues was and continues to be very important to the New Orleans musical scene. That condition is recognized by "Bayou Blues," a pulpit for Kermit Ruffins' singing and trumpet skills and some down and about as dirty as it gets tenoring by Simpkins. Among the outstanding musicians joining Simpkins in the studio is the legendary New Orleans brass band player Tuba Fats. Born Anthony Lacen, he lays down a steady, rhythmic cushion on Sam Cooke's "Shake." This album is a tasty gumbo of jazz music and is recommended. ~ Dave Nathan