Charles Sullivan (who changed his name to
Kamau Muata Adilifu in 1980) was quite active as a member of various Broadway show orchestras during 1981-95 but had only played jazz on an irregular basis during the interim, most notably with
McCoy Tyner's big band. His first date as a leader since a Japanese record in 1974 features
Adilifu playing his own originals. The frequently modal music is in some ways a throwback to the acoustic scene of the 1970s in that there are long melody statements and a liberal use of vamps.
Adilifu's six originals generally develop slowly but are quite effective in setting moods and serving as viable vehicles for the solos of the trumpeter, tenor saxophonist
Craig Handy and pianist
Kenny Barron; bassist Rodney Whittaker and drummer
Victor Lewis are active and alert in support. Everyone plays up-to-par, making
Kamau Adilifu/
Charles Sullivan's "comeback" record quite successful as creative jazz. ~ Scott Yanow