Honi Gordon's obscurity (this was her only recording as a solo singer) is a mystery for she displays a great deal of talent on this date. Her father
George Gordon wrote some of the tricky lyrics (which are phrased like a horn) and
Honi (who is given stimulating support by pianist
Jaki Byard,
Ken McIntyre on flute and alto, guitarist
Wally Richardson, bassist
George Duvivier and drummer
Ed Shaughnessy) is up to the job. Her version of
Charles Mingus's "Strollin'" is definitive, she finds something new to say on "Ill Wind" and really digs into the originals. This is bop-based jazz singing at its best.