Hal Galper has long been an underrated composer and pianist. This Enja release from 1977 finds him at the top of his game in both roles, leading a strong quartet with trumpeter
Terumasa Hino, bassist
Cecil McBee, and drummer
Tony Williams. Opening with his thunderous, inventive post-bop vehicle "Now Hear This," each musician adds something special to this driving piece (which also benefits from an in-tune piano, something not provided to
Galper for a rendition heard on the live LP Speak with a Single Voice). The first track sets such high expectations that one would expect a letdown, but that isn't the case.
Galper quickly cools things down with "Shadow Waltz," a lush ballad. In addition to his superb originals,
Galper offers a jaunty take of
Thelonious Monk's "Bemsha Swing." ~ Ken Dryden