This is a logical and very successful collaboration featuring the East Coast tenor
Houston Person and L.A.'s legendary
Teddy Edwards. Although one can generally tell the two veterans apart (
Person has a heavier sound than the comparatively light-toned
Edwards), the co-leaders are quite complementary and work together well in the tradition of
Sonny Stitt and
Gene Ammons. With fine backup from pianist
Richard Wyands, bassist
Peter Washington, and drummer
Kenny Washington,
Edwards and
Person pay tribute to eight great tenors of the past (
John Coltrane,
Ben Webster,
Lester Young,
Stan Getz,
Coleman Hawkins,
Gene Ammons,
Dexter Gordon, and
Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis) through their renditions of eight standards. Highlights include a romp on "Lester Leaps In," a surprisingly successful version of "The Girl From Ipanema" and a spirited "Red Top." Recommended. ~ Scott Yanow