When one considers the large number of great players who participated in this project (including trumpeters
Arturo Sandoval,
Randy Brecker and
Chuck Findley, trombonist
George Bohanon, the reeds of
Eric Marienthal,
Nelson Rangell,
Tom Scott,
Ernie Watts and
Bob Mintzer, such keyboardists as
Dave Grusin,
Chick Corea,
Ramsey Lewis and
Russell Ferrante, bassist
John Patitucci, drummer
Dave Weckl, and guests
B.B. King and tenor great
Michael Brecker), the rather predictable results are a disappointment. With the exception of
Chick Corea's recent "Blue Miles," this album could have been titled "Warhorses" due to the very familiar material. The arrangements by
Michael Abene,
Scott,
Grusin,
Mintzer and
Ferrante contain no real surprises (other than some unexpected moments on "Misterioso"), and none of the solos are long enough to really build. There is a certain novelty in hearing some of the crossover players like
Rangell,
Scott and
Lewis playing hard bop tunes such as "Birks Works," "Senor Blues" and "Cookin' at the Continental," but why waste
B.B. King on yet another version of "Stormy Monday Blues?" ~ Scott Yanow