A strong effort by
Shepp, who is reunited with pianist
Horace Parlan and joined by bassist
Wayne Dockery and drummer
George Brown for a an eight-track set recorded in Germany. The highlight is clearly the sole track with Parlan in which they perform
Monk's "Ask Me Now" both effectively and emotionally. The version of "Go Down Moses (Let My People Go)" is a winner for
Shepp's glorious baritone vocals and his saxophone solo. The excellent choice of tunes (including
Duke Ellington's "I Didn't Know About You," Todd Dameron's "Hot House," and Bird's "Now the Time") presents
Shepp in a fine light, where he blows both tenor and alto saxophones. Some of the pieces, such as
Shepp's "Party Time," are less than perfect and the saxophonist's vocals on "The Good Life" are only average, but overall,
Shepp and the quartet are a pleasure to hear. ~ Steven Loewy