A solid, accessible date co-led by saxophonist
Peter Brainin and drummer
Steve Johns. Pianist
George Cables and bassist
Jay Anderson join
Johns in the rhythm section, but it's the three-horn front line (
Brainin,
Conrad Herwig on trombone, and
Eddie Henderson or Chris Rogers on trumpet/fluegelhorn) who gives the session its luster. (Rich Shemaria and
Chuck Clark provide the beautiful arrangements.)
Brainin wrote four of the tunes,
Johns three; Goldie Tyler Johns, the drummer's mother, contributed a delightfully saucy change of pace called "Cause You're My Lover." Many of the tracks recall the cool, lyrical, Latin-tinged sophistication of
Tom Harrell. The program's almost too mild; you find yourself waiting for a return to the pumping swing and tight, spitting horn harmonies of the opener,
Johns' "Home Grown Alone." That said, there are some tasty surprises -- like the sudden transition from upbeat swing to minor-key waltz in
Brainin's "Efflorescence" or the flute/bass unison statement that begins
Johns' "Hazelhurst." ~ David R. Adler