Scott Reeves penned most of the music for this pair of post-bop sessions. This self-produced CD draws five of its nine selections from his now unavailable Brownstone CD You Are What You Think, with the leader doubling on alto flügelhorn and trombone. The earlier sessions, with pianist
Kenny Werner, trumpeter
Bill Mobley, bassist John Lockwood, and drummer Bob Gullotti, include several fine originals: the adventurous original "Congressional Roll Call," the odd overdubbed chant-like duet of didgeridoo and trombone, and the moving bittersweet ballad "Remembrances." The one standard is a straight-ahead brisk arrangement of "Spring Is Here," pairing the leader's alto flügelhorn with
Mobley's trumpet.
James Williams takes over the piano on the latter session.
Reeves' muted trombone and
Mobley's open trumpet exchange the lead in "Strays," the leader's warm salute to
Billy Strayhorn.
Williams' driving blues "Four Play" is easily the highlight of the disc. Singer Janet Reeves is added for an easygoing bossa nova of "Speak Low." The strong playing and potent arrangements make this a worthwhile CD. ~ Ken Dryden