If proof were needed that
The Modern Jazz Quartet was back together permanently after a seven-year hiatus (1974-81), it is this CD for the six selections were all fairly new (as opposed to more runthroughs of their earlier hits). Pianist
John Lewis contributed three compositions (including the appealing "That Slavic Smile" and "Sacha's March"), vibraphonist
Milt Jackson wrote two and bassist
Percy Heath brought in his lighthearted "Watergate Blues." With drummer
Connie Kay as usual rounding out the group,
The MJQ's return was one of the happiest events in jazz of the 1980s. ~ Scott Yanow