The best parts of this album are the solos by tenor saxophonist
Joe Lovano, who joins trumpeter
Barry Ries on the front line for his debut recording. The remainder of the group consists of pianist
Michael Cochrane, bassist
Dennis Irwin, and drummers
Billy Drummond and
Yoron Israel, all of whom offer fine support.
Ries has been performing professionally for years, and he is past due to record as a leader. Unfortunately, his compositions and solos lack individuality, at least on this CD, leading to a competent but mundane session. While
Ries is a fine performer, his pleasing but largely undistinguished sound, coupled with adequate technique, do little to differentiate this recording from other similar ones. Still, there is enough good blowing all around to make this an enjoyable, if fairly ordinary, set. ~ Steve Loewy