For a time in 1977, drummer
Louis Hayes co-led a quintet with the great trumpeter
Woody Shaw. The band's only studio album (last available as a Muse LP) also features
René McLean (tripling on soprano, alto, and tenor), pianist
Ronnie Mathews, bassist
Stafford James, and (on three of the six tunes) guest trombonist
Slide Hampton. On three little-known tunes and a trio of group originals, the modern hard bop unit plays concise but meaningful solos; a different combination of musicians gets the solo spotlight on each song. A well-conceived and continually interesting session. ~ Scott Yanow