Michigan bassist Rodney Whitaker gives tribute to the pen of fellow statesman Gregg Hill on this classy post bop album teaming the leader with Xavier Davis/p, Dana Hall-Randy Gelispie/dr, Diego Rivera-Marcus Elliot/sax, Randy Napoleon/g, Michael Dease/tb, Etienne Charles/tp and Rockelle Whitaker. The result is a lyrical mix of moods that keep a smile on your face. Ms Whitaker soulfully struts with Rivera’s tenor on “New Sunday” and blossoms on the gorgeous “Stargazer” while going impressionistic during “Ballade”. Dease slides easy on “J-Quest” and the pretty title tune with Davis. The team flexes its muscles on the bopping “Aloogabooga” and digs into a deep blues on the snappy “Bridge to Nashua”. Music like this makes you want to know these guys better, and dig deeper into Hill’s catalogue.