This set was a change-of-pace for
Chico Freeman for it features the usually adventurous tenor (who doubles on soprano) mostly playing warm versions of standards. The CD reissue adds four previously unissued selections (including a pair of
Coltrane tunes, "Lonnie's Lament" and "Wise One") to the original program. With pianist
John Hicks, bassist
Cecil McBee and either
Billy Hart or
Don Moye on drums offering fine support (vibraphonist
Jay Hoggard sits in on "Carnival"),
Freeman pushes at but does not break the boundaries of hard bop. Highlights include "Autumn in New York" (a duet with
McBee),
Horace Silver's "Peace," "It Never Entered My Mind" and the bassist's "Close to You Alone."