Drummer
Danny D'Imperio and his septet (which includes trumpeter
Greg Gisbert, altoist
Andy Fusco, tenor saxophonist
Ralph Lalama, pianist
Hod O'Brien, guitarist Steve Brown, and bassist
Dave Shapiro) bring back to life obscure songs by
Blue Mitchell ("Hip to It"),
Hank Mobley,
Bob Dorough,
Joe Zawinul ("Frog Legs"), and others. The musicians really know the hard bop style well and, without just re-creating the past, they are very creative and swinging within the style's boundaries. Whether it be "Un Poco Loco" or "Dizzy's Business," these renditions hold their own against the earlier and more famous versions. Recommended.