Tenor saxophonist
Craig Handy's debut as a leader is an impressive effort. The advanced hard bop music (which also features
Handy doubling on alto, pianist Ed Simon, bassist
Ray Drummond, drummer Ralph Peterson and three guest appearances by trombonist Robin Eubanks) has fine arrangements by
Handy, who also contributed five of the nine pieces. At this point,
Craig Handy's sound was almost distinctive (blending together
Dexter Gordon,
John Coltrane and
Sonny Rollins), and he clearly had a great future. Recommended. ~ Scott Yanow