Ralph Peterson presents originals old and new on this powerful quintet disc. He begins with "The Art of War," a track that strongly recalls the classic Blue Note sound as popularized by the likes of Joe Henderson,
Wayne Shorter, and
Art Blakey. Trumpeter
Jeremy Pelt and saxophonist
Jimmy Greene establish a searing intensity in the frontline, propelled by
Orrin Evans on piano,
Eric Revis on bass, and, of course, the pugnacious leader on drums. "A Choice Not Taken," a slow bossa colored by graceful soprano sax/flugelhorn harmonies, is the second new original; four others are revisitations from earlier Peterson albums: the funk-based "Freight Train," the wistful "All My Tomorrows," the erratic swinger "Smoke Rings," and the complex, agitated "Monief."
Orrin Evans contributes the closing "Big Jimmy," which he has recorded for Criss Cross under his own name (with Peterson on drums, incidentally).
Jeremy Pelt is featured at length on "Portrait of Jenny," one of Clifford Brown's trusty ballad vehicles, and gets two writing credits with the contemplative "Inner Sanctum" and the burning "Apocalypse" -- the second of which strongly recalls the sound of the Miles Smiles LP. This music hews closely to the post-bop mainstream, yet still is quite hard-hitting, thanks not only to Peterson's tremendous drumming but also the authoritative soloing of
Greene,
Pelt, and
Evans -- all young talents to watch. ~ David R. Adler