Surprisingly enough, this entire CD comes from one set of music. Trumpeter
Valery Ponomarev, tenor saxophonist
Don Braden, pianist
John Hicks, bassist Peter Washington, and drummer Victor Jones are very much inspired during five hard bop originals by the leader, as well as "Theme for Ernie" (which
John Coltrane recorded decades earlier). "My Alter Ego," a trumpet/drums duet, is a highlight, but this entire set gives one a good sampling of the continually underrated talents of
Ponomarev. ~ Scott Yanow