There's a lot to like about this session led by
Jim Rotondi
. This superb trumpeter, fluegelhornist, and arranger is joined by a first-rate rhythm section (pianist
David Hazeltine
, bassist
Ray Drummond
, and drummer
Joe Farnsworth
), as well as the talented yet under-appreciated alto saxophonist
Jesse Davis
on five of the eight tracks.
The program itself is well balanced, with great blowing, imaginative charts
and a pair of strong originals.
Rotondi
's cooking
"On Y Va (Let's Go)"
is a brilliant opener, setting up a solid groove.
"The Pleasure Dome"
is his salute to the tiny but popular New York nightclub
Smoke
; it captures the excitement of a typical evening in this uptown venue.
"The Breeze and I"
first turned up on a 1940
big band
date led by
Jimmy Dorsey
and was later adapted by a few
bop
and
hard bop
small groups; but
Hazeltine
's updated treatment swings like mad in a
post-bop
setting while retaining its Latin undercurrent. The leader switches to fluegelhorn for a lush rendition of the standard
"My Ideal"
accompanied solely by the pianist, with
Drummond
Farnsworth
making a late entrance.
is heard on muted trumpet for a lightly swinging
"Yours Is My Heart Alone,"
accented by
's brushes.
Dr. Billy Taylor
's
"A Bientot"
is cast as a
bossa nova
with terrific interplay between the fluegelhorn and alto sax.
Joe Henderson
"Mamacita"
is tense
blues
with the rhythm section fueling
's solo with some especially tight playing.
Dr. Donald Byrd
's sassy
"Hush"
will get any audience swaying back and forth, also showcasing a tasty solo by
. It is a rare recording session that consistently reaches the heights of this outstanding CD. ~ Ken Dryden