This 1997 album, featuring an impeccable rhythm section of
Louis Hayes and
Peter Washington, is a tour de force for pianist
David Hazeltine's versatile skills as instrumentalist and composer. In addition to four very strong originals, the group tackles challenging compositions by piano masters
Bud Powell and
Cedar Walton, and offers fresh takes on standards like "You Make Me Feel So Young" and "These Foolish Things." Although he has yet to develop a particularly distinctive personality at the piano,
Hazeltine has successfully synthesized the lessons of his modern jazz piano predecessors. This terrifically talented pianist deserves major attention. ~ Joel Roberts