After years of erratic albums (other than two obscure efforts for the European Konnex label), altoist
Sonny Fortune finally made a great recording with this release. Most selections feature
Fortune (who plays flute on "Pannonica") joined by pianist
Kirk Lightsey, bassist
Buster Williams, and drummer
Billy Hart; "Reflections" is a duet with
Lightsey.
Fortune, who admitted that he had not been very familiar with
Thelonious Monk's music until 1990, performs ten of
Monk's more complex compositions, including "Criss Cross," "Trinkle Tinkle," and the beautiful "Ask Me Now."
Fortune plays quite passionately and really digs into the material, creating one of the finest recordings of his career. ~ Scott Yanow