Even though this is
Steve Wilson's fourth Criss Cross recording, this is his first recording featuring his working band of pianist
Bruce Barth, bassist
Larry Grenadier, and drummer
Leon Parker whose use of a stripped-down drum set of bass drum, snare drum, and one ride cymbal provides the foundation for the group's lean and cohesive sound.
Wilson, who plays only alto sax on this date, contributed only two compositions, the beautiful waltz "Wish You Were Here" and the aptly titled sax-drums duo; "Groovesome Twosome"; Barth contributed two
Monk-inspired medium-up swingers, "By the Window," with changes similar to "I Got Rhythm," and the angular "Up and Down"; and Parker contributed "Belief," which originally appeared on saxophonist
Don Braden's Organic CD and is also the title track of Parker's second CD as a leader. This is the best version of "Belief" here, beginning with an Afro-Latin rhythm but changing into a medium shuffle à la
Art Blakey. Of the two jazz classics on
Four for Time they are given fresh arrangements by
Wilson. On Juan Tizol's "Perdido," the melody is not even stated until after burning solos by
Wilson and Barth, a brief drum solo by Parker, and a composed unison line played by
Wilson and Barth, while
Dizzy Gillespie's "Woody N' You" is given a Latin-influenced treatment. This is an excellent recorded document of a fine working band. ~ Greg Turner