Other than two obscure efforts in 1964 and 1969, tenor saxophonist
J.R. Monterose had not led an album in nearly 20 years when he made this LP for the Uptown label in 1979. Teamed up with pianist
Hod O'Brien, bassist Teddy Kotick and drummer
Eddie Robinson,
Monterose does his best, although he does sound a bit rusty in spots. He stretches out on long versions of three jazz standards ("The Shadow of Your Smile," "Ruby My Dear" and "Just Friends") and his own "Lu-an." Truth be told, this album is probably more valuable for the definitive liner notes on
J.R. Monterose's career than for the music, which is well-intentioned but a bit erratic. ~ Scott Yanow