One of the true jazz giants, Tom Harrell has developed an impressive catalogue not only for his albums, but his composing and arranging skills deserve status with that of Maria Schneider; he’s that good.
The airy and light team of Mark Tenor/ts, Charles Altura/eg-ag, Ben Street/b and Johnathan Blake/dr float with soft horns as an the breathy and pretty “Folk Song” with Harrell effortlessly hitting high ranges during “The Isle.” Blake’s drumming rustles with Altura’s rich acoustic guitar on “The Fast” and the team gives off a mystical mood with Altura going electric during Harrell’s muted “Hope” with Adam Cruz adding extra percussion for the Saharan caravan. The two horns get misty on “Duet” and give dark hues to Street’s loping bass for the 5/4 dance of “Taurus” with easy bop beats for the elegant “Blue.” Nothing to improve upon at this stage in his career, but Harrell continues to move upward.