Drummer
Cecil Brooks III's hard bop set is primarily straight-ahead, with some of the selections reminiscent of
Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers. The originals (four by
Brooks and two from pianist
Radam Schwartz) are excellent, trumpeter
Philip Harper sounds quite lyrical on "I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face," and a three-song ballad medley features the warm tones of tenor saxophonist
Craig Handy ("Midnight Sun"),
Harper ("I'm a Fool to Want You"), and altoist
Antonio Hart ("Autumn in New York"). With pianist
Benny Green anchoring the rhythm section and
Brooks keeping the momentum flowing, this is an excellent modern mainstream set by some of the finest young lions of the 1990s.