The underrated tenor saxophonist
Harold Vick had all but vanished from the jazz landscape by the 1977 release of
After the Dance -- and it's a shame he didn't stay lost. Cobbled together from elements of lite jazz, disco, and Motown,
Joel Dorn's slick production sucks all the life from
Vick's organic, soulful playing, which seems completely out of step with fusion vets including guitarist
Eric Gale and drummer
Steve Gadd. Worse yet, this deeply disappointing date would prove
Vick's last as a leader. At times flashes of brilliance sneak through, but not even
Charlie Parker could salvage this mess.