Continuing in his tradition of stellar Highnote label albums, pianist
Cedar Walton's 2011 release,
The Bouncer, features the journeyman hard bopper leading a fine quintet of like-minded individuals. Once again featuring the talents of saxophonist
Vincent Herring, who appeared on
Walton's 2009 effort,
Voices Deep Within,
The Bouncer also showcases trombonist
Steve Turre, as well as longtime associate bassist
David Williams, drummer
Willie Jones III, and percussionist
Ray Mantilla. This is urbane, no-nonsense, straight-ahead acoustic jazz, the kind that
Walton has based his career on since the '60s. To these ends, listeners get the jaunty, midtempo opener, as well as the lilting pretty waltz "Halo" and the
Jones-inspired "Willie's Groove," which finds both
Jones and
Williams showing their improvisational stuff. Elsewhere,
Walton and company tackle
J.J. Johnson's "Lament"; rework
Walton's "Underground Memoirs" from 1996's The Composer into a stylish, roiling Latin-tinged number; and keep the Latin vibe going on Trinidad native
Williams' grooving "Got to Get to the Island." ~ Matt Collar