Trumpeter John D'earth leads a stellar quintet on this date, playing brilliantly alongside tenor saxophonist Jerry Bergonzi, pianist Mulgrew Miller, bassist Mike Richmond, and drummer Howard Curtis. The feel is straight-ahead yet modern and burning on this collection of nine D'earth originals and a sparse yet fast version of "There Will Never Be Another You." Highlights include the breezy mid-tempo "Everyday Tune," the driving but slightly dark 12/8 piece "Ooboo Way," the 3/4 "Confirmation" spinoff called "Play's Itself," and the brisk, partially blues-based "Restoration Comedy," with its vague echoes of Coltrane's "Miles' Mode." D'earth's tone is bright and crisp, meshing beautifully with the muscular solo voices of Bergonzi, Miller, and Richmond, three of the most accomplished yet underrated figures in jazz. ~ David R. Adler