Altoist Kim Richmond and his co-leader, trumpeter
Clay Jenkins, contributed six of the nine songs to this sextet session. The originals and the improvisations are very harmonically advanced and thick with chords, while still swinging. The underrated tenor saxophonist
Rich Perry takes many creative solos, as does Richmond,
Jenkins, and pianist
Harold Danko. While none of the originals are destined to become standards in the future, the music is still pretty simulating, with the standard "The Touch of Your Lips" being reharmonized. But it is when the group cuts loose on the closer, "Groovin' High," that the sparks really fly. This set grows in interest with each listen. ~ Scott Yanow