David "Fathead" Newman is in top form throughout this straight-ahead jazz set, playing tenor sax on four of the seven numbers, flute on two, and alto on "Willow Weep for Me."
Newman is assisted by pianist
John Hicks, bassist
Steve Novosel, drummer
Winard Harper, and, on three numbers, trombonist
Steve Turre and percussionist
Steve Kroon. In addition to "Willow," the group performs two originals apiece by
Newman and
O'Donel Levy and songs by
Hicks and
Turre. The music is mostly soulful hard bop and quite well played. ~ Scott Yanow