On this long out of print LP from the defunct Elektra Musician label, (reissued on CD by Collectables in 2005), pianist
McCoy Tyner is featured in one of his strongest groups, a quintet with altoist
Gary Bartz, violinist
John Blake, bassist
John Lee, and drummer
Wilby Fletcher. A transitional set between
Tyner's adventurous Milestone albums and his later repertoire (which falls in the tradition but still sounds quite original), this album has two standards ("Prelude to a Kiss" and "Just in Time");
Bartz's tribute to
Thelonious Monk ("Uncle Bubba"); and one original apiece by
Tyner,
Blake, and
Lee. Excellent music. ~ Scott Yanow