Mike Murley may not be a household name outside of Canada, but his many recordings are consistently stimulating and fresh. On this CD with pianist
Dave Restivo, bassist
Jim Vivian, drummer
Ted Warren and (on four of the eight selections) the
Kenny Wheeler-inspired trumpeter
John MacLeod,
Murley consistently shows off his versatility. He purposely plays "I've Got You Under My Skin" (the only standard of the date) in the style of
Sonny Rollins, performs some hard bop originals (in some cases showing off the influence of
Joe Henderson), sounds quite tender on
Cedar Walton's waltz "Touch Her Soft Lips and Part" and switches to his playful soprano on
Thelonious Monk's "Green Chimneys." The medium-tempo blues "L'Homard Blue" wraps up the advanced, straight-ahead date in swinging fashion.