Well Produced
Karl W. Nehring | Ostrander, OH USA | 07/17/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"New Orleans alto saxman Donald Harrison, Jr. has put together quite an ensemble to support him on this energetic recording: Nicholas Payton, Marlon Jordan, and Jamil Sharif on trumpets; Delfeayo Marsalis on trombone; Louis Ford on clarinet; Victor Goines on tenor sax; Peter Martin on piano; Elton Heron on bass, Adonis Rose on drums, and John O'Neal, who does a vocal/poetry recitation on the opening cut. The music ranges over traditional New Orleans tunes (e.g., "Two Pockey Way," "Just a Closer Walk with Three"), jazz standards (e.g., "Bye-Ya," "Oleo"), an original by Harrison ("Don't Drink the Water"), and a poetic recital by O'Neal, accompanied by percussion, that really sets the tone for the rest of the album by introducing the second-line rhythm that underlies all the arrangements. All of the cuts are excellent; for me, the real standout is the group's arrangement of Sonny Rollins's "Oleo," which responds well to the New Orleans-style arrangement that it gets here.
This set was recorded back in 1996 in New Orleans. It is a great CD that still rings true, and I recommend it highly to all jazz fans. Sound quality is solid if unspectacular, the liner notes are informative, and a really nice production detail is the identification of the soloists in the listing of tunes. A wonderful release!"