Sean Jones is potentially a powerful trumpeter, but on this set he emphasizes his lyrical side. The music is influenced by his religious beliefs yet this is an instrumental set and most of the songs are originals. The only recognizable melody from the past is
Duke Ellington's "Come Sunday." There is an incomplete feel to the performances and one finds themselves waiting for something unusual to happen, an explosion of passion or some excitement. It never does happen and, although the playing is heartfelt and quite musical,
Roots never becomes particularly memorable. The music is pleasing but largely uneventful. ~ Scott Yanow