Something of a jazz superstar collective, the
Chartbusters are rooted in
Dr. Lonnie Smith's swirling Hammond B3 and Idris Muhammad's nimble drumming, giving the album a solid rhythmic foundation from which the players seem reluctant to move -- the album has something in the way of swing, but never falls sincerely into the looser improvisational areas that might have provided some real spice. Still, the horn work from
Craig Handy,
Donald Harrison and
Randy Brecker is solid, enjoyable playing, while guitarist
David Fiuczynski takes a couple of opportunities to show what he can do. Pleasant enough, but it could really have used a few teeth. ~ Steven McDonald