Pianist
Geoff Keezer, only 17 at the time of this CD (his recording debut as a leader) was most strongly influenced in the early days by
McCoy Tyner (purposely on his "Babes of McCoyland") but at this point he was already a confident and technically brilliant player with strong signs of developing his own style. His seven compositions are excellent vehicles for improvised solos (each song has its own personality) and his often-stormy piano (heard on five sextet feature, a quintet performance, four trio showcases and an unaccompanied "I Didn't Know About You") pays tribute in its own way to
Phineas Newborn,
Thelonious Monk and
Duke Ellington. Although often confined to short concise solos,
Keezer's sidemen are not overshadowed.
Bill Pierce, the best-known of the players, is cooly passionate on his ballad feature "Pierce on Earth" and he makes a good team with the
Freddie Hubbard-inspired trumpet of
Bill Mobley. Vibraphonist
Steve Nelson recalls
Bobby Hutcherson in his early days while bassist
Rufus Reid and drummer Anthony Reedus are excellent in support. Recommended. ~ Scott Yanow