During 1988-1992,
the Harper Brothers were one of the leading Young Lions groups in jazz, younger musicians playing within the style of hard bop as typified by the 1960s recordings on Blue Note. The third of
the Harper Brothers' four recordings is very much in the tradition, and much of the time sounds very much like 1965 or the early-'60s
Jazz Messengers. Philip Harper's style mixes together aspects of
Lee Morgan and
Freddie Hubbard,
Javon Jackson could almost pass for
Joe Henderson, and the rhythm section is laid-back, soulful, supportive, and swinging. The originals are in the hard bop style (with "J.W." influenced by "Giant Steps"), and even "Yes Sir, That's My Baby" undergoes an effective transformation. The results are enjoyable if derivative. ~ Scott Yanow