Dave Noland is one of countless musicians who gravitated to New York City to dive full-force into jazz, picking up a master's degree and a career in music education along the way. This Texas native's debut recording as a leader is a strong effort, with an excellent supporting cast of similar musicians who came to the Big Apple for the same reason, though most of them, aside from drummer
Tim Horner, were not very widely known at the time of the sessions.
Noland's initial effort as a bandleader displays a lot of restraint, mixing in thoughtful arrangements of several standards along with his potent post-bop compositions, playing both tenor and soprano saxophone. Nathan Eklund provides the perfect foil, doubling on trumpet and flugelhorn. Highlights include his strikingly fresh treatment of "Skylark," his richly textured ballad "Sweet Pea," and the snappy "Pistol Pete." ~ Ken Dryden