Tenor saxophonist
Booker Ervin's quartet with pianist
Jaki Byard, bassist
Richard Davis and drummer
Alan Dawson was so strong and dynamic that it is surprising that it only existed in the recording studio, and only for two sessions. For the fourth and final of
Ervin's series of Books, the music is indeed somewhat spacey. The group explores two standards ("I Can't Get Started" and "There Is No Greater Love") along with a pair of
Ervin originals (the intense "Number Two" and "Mojo"), stretching the boundaries of hard bop without totally abandoning the chord changes. This CD is a fine example of
Booker Ervin's unique style. ~ Scott Yanow