Drummer
Alvin Queen is better known for his work as a sideman, though this is hardly his first record date as a leader. But this session is among his very best, leading a powerful quintet including trumpeter
Terell Stafford, alto saxophonist
Jesse Davis, organist
Mike LeDonne, and guitarist
Peter Bernstein. They open with a strutting, brassy take of
Shirley Scott's "There's Blues Everywhere," while
Queen sets up the well-known "Seven Steps to Heaven" with a tension-building solo introduction. The substitution of organ for piano in
McCoy Tyner's "Contemplation" dramatically changes the character of the piece, bringing the drums to the forefront and showcasing
Bernstein's superb solo.
Jesse Davis contributed the funky "I Ain't Looking at You," a sassy piece that is full of humor even without lyrics. The one standard is a heartfelt treatment of the ballad "Old Folks," featuring
Davis' conversation-like alto sax. All in all, this is an excellent date and a clear sign that
Alvin Queen should be leading record dates more frequently. ~ Ken Dryden