As with many other jazz legends during the hard bop revival of the '80s, tenor saxophonist
Johnny Griffin was signed to a major label after having cut titles for a plethora of independent (often European) jazz labels in the late '60s and throughout the '70s. From 1955 until the mid-'60s,
Griffin had made a major splash with other young turks like
Hank Mobley,
Donald Byrd,
Lee Morgan, and Coltrane, and became a sought-after sideman by the likes of
Thelonious Monk,
Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis, and
Wes Montgomery. The rise of rock and soul, though, forced
Griffin to move overseas and join several other ex-pat jazz stars. And while
Griffin has remained in Europe, he has consistently recorded in the states. This fine 1993 release marks one of
Griffin's recent recording triumphs for the above-mentioned major labels and finds him in the company of such stellar guest soloists as trombonist
Steve Turre, tuba player
Dave Bargeron, and French horn player
John Clark; the band's core is made up by
Griffin's then regular quartet featuring pianist
Michael Weiss, bassist Peter Washington, and drummer Kenny Washington. This supple but tight ensemble ably handle
Griffin's rich store of seven originals and a cover of
Cole Porter's "All Through the Night." The updated hard bop arrangements by
Griffin and Weiss are all engaging and prove to be prime solo vehicles for Turre especially;
Griffin avails himself admirably too with a somewhat refined, yet still meaty version of his once big and fast tenor sound. A treat for
Griffin fans and one of the more enjoyable modern trad dates available. ~ Stephen Cook