Robert Hurst makes a fine showing on this fiery trio session, featuring
Robert Glasper on piano and Damion Reid on drums. Of the seven tracks (all
Hurst or
Glasper originals), three are over ten minutes long and find everyone stretching beyond the comfort zone. The full-tilt burn of "Mr. Thomas," "Unrehurst," and "Thowed" is balanced by the harmonically involved Latin lilt of "Unflurgenized Colorations," the straight-eighth balladry of "April Foolproof," and the deep mid-tempo grooves of "Dr. Bleuss" and "Bu Waynea" (the latter a double nod to
Wayne Shorter and
Art Blakey, aka
Buhaina). The music is potent, but the recording itself is a bit dull. The drums lack depth and color, and the piano fails to leap out in the mix. ~ David R. Adler