Taking off from 2004's Up Jumped Spring, trombonist
Curtis Fuller once again reunites with a former
Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers alum for a set of standards and original compositions. Joining
Fuller this time is tenor saxophonist
Javon Jackson, who played with
Blakey from the late '80s until the drummer's death in 1990. Together they reignite the fiery, soulful Jazz Messenger aesthetic on such standout
Fuller tunes as the
John Coltrane-influenced "Maze" and the swinging hard boppish "A La Mode." Backing
Fuller here is pianist
Doug Carn, bassist
Rodney Jordan, and drummer Fritz Wise. ~ Matt Collar