Bassist
Ray Drummond performs six of his compositions (including the five-part "Excursion") plus
Hermeto Pascoal's "Andei," "Invitation," and
Thelonious Monk's "Well, You Needn't" on this excellent set. While
Drummond has a fair amount of solo space, the real solo stars are
Joe Lovano and
Craig Handy, who are heard on tenors, sopranos, and flutes. Not far behind is pianist
Danilo Perez (who has the ability to make the most complex improvisation sound effortless), while both
Marvin "Smitty" Smith and
Mor Thiam are on drums and percussion.
Lovano and
Handy's passionate solos are sometimes quite intense and never fall short of ideas. Although none of
Drummond's originals are destined to become standards, they inspire the soloists, who in turn uplift the tunes. This is one of
Ray Drummond's finest recordings to date. ~ Scott Yanow