Critic's Review
Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
Drummer Cecil Brooks III's hard bop set is primarily straight-ahead, with some of the selections reminiscent of Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers. The originals (four by Brooks and two from pianist Radam Schwartz) are excellent, trumpeter Philip Harper sounds quite lyrical on "I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face," and a three-song ballad medley features the warm tones of tenor saxophonist Craig Handy ("Midnight Sun"), Harper ("I'm a Fool to Want You"), and altoist Antonio Hart ("Autumn in New York"). With pianist Benny Green anchoring the rhythm section and Brooks keeping the momentum flowing, this is an excellent modern mainstream set by some of the finest young lions of the 1990s.
