The music on this CD is very much in the Young Lions/modern hard bop vein. In this 1989 session, drummer
Carl Allen leads a fairly young all-star group -- comprised of trumpeter
Roy Hargrove,
Vincent Herring on alto, soprano, and flute, pianist
Donald Brown, and bassist
Ira Coleman -- through five originals by bandmembers and five standards. Veteran trumpeter
Freddie Hubbard sits in on "Piccadilly Square" (a rare chance for one to hear both
Hubbard and
Hargrove soloing on the same number) and "In the Still of the Night." Few surprises occur, but the musicians (particularly
Herring) play up to expectations and fans of hard bop will enjoy this. ~ Scott Yanow