The Cookers' third CD is a bit more diverse than their earlier efforts, though still featuring the same septet (tenor saxophonist
Billy Harper, trumpeters
Eddie Henderson and
David Weiss, alto saxophonist
Craig Handy, pianist
George Cables, bassist
Cecil McBee, and drummer
Billy Hart).
Harper's staccato "Believe, For It Is True" is an unusual opener, never letting up on the tension, with the focus on intense solos by the composer and Weiss, along with intricate, demanding ensembles. The
Cables-penned "Ebony Moonbeams" has an infectious Latin undercurrent, showcasing
Henderson's expressive, vocal-like horn, along with strong solos by
Handy and the pianist. The sole tune not written by a member of the ensemble is an explosive rendition of
Wayne Shorter's hard bop classic "Free for All," an extended workout that captures the energy of the '60s but with a modern touch.
McBee's abstract "Tight Squeeze" has an eerie air, with abstract solos, while
Hart's upbeat post-bop vehicle "Naaj" wraps the sessions up with a flourish. ~ Ken Dryden