Bassist Steve LaSpina's seventh outing on SteepleChase features Dave Ballou on trumpet and flugel, Billy Drewes on tenor and soprano, Vic Juris on guitar, and Jeff Hirshfield on drums. The leader presents four originals: "The Bounce," based on a swinging bass ostinato; "Only Now," a ballad with beautiful chording from Juris; "Seven F," a medium waltz with mellifluous soloing by Drewes, Ballou, and LaSpina; and "Let Me Go," a free bop tune with multiple tempo shifts and a real romp for the horns (Drewes on soprano). Juris contributes "I've Heard That Song Before," which he plays on acoustic guitar (horns lay out), while LaSpina steps forward with a solo rendition of "My One and Only Love," wringing polyphonic possibilities from his instrument. The quintet also explores Monk's "Ask Me Now" and closes with a semi-abstract "How Deep Is the Ocean." Beautiful playing from everyone involved. ~ David R. Adler