This Silkheart release has one of the finest all-around recordings by
Steve Lacy's Sextet. The leader, a longtime master of the soprano sax, is joined by the underrated altoist Steve Potts (who doubles on soprano), pianist
Bobby Few, bassist
Jean-Jacques Avenel, drummer
Oliver Johnson, and
Irene Aebi on vocals and violin.
Aebi's singing, which is always an acquired taste, is as accessible as it ever was on the joyful "Gay Paree Bop"; all five compositions are
Lacy originals. Overall, this set gives listeners a particularly strong example of the work of the innovative
Steve Lacy Sextet. ~ Scott Yanow