Kei Akagi has long been a vastly underrated jazz pianist. On this stimulating quartet set with tenor saxophonist
Rick Margitza, bassist
Charles Fambrough, and drummer
Willie Jones III,
Akagi digs into five of his originals,
Fambrough's "Bright Eyes," and a memorable and lengthy version of
Wayne Shorter's "Lester Left Town."
Margitza (whose playing on tenor and soprano sometimes hints strongly at
John Coltrane) and the alert rhythm section inspire
Akagi to some of his finest playing, stretching the hard bop tradition and creating fresh new music. ~ Scott Yanow