For what becomes drummer Ralph Peterson’s last recording, just short of his 59th birthday, this album has the iconic master playing not only drums, but trumpet, cajon, djimbe, kalimba, rain stick and a variety of other percussion instruments with his team of Zaccai Curtis/p-key, Luques Curtis/b, Eguie Castrillo/perc and guest Jazzmeia Horn/voc on an albums that gives statements to the world that he has left.
Horn richly agonizes with Curtis on “Please Do Something” while cantering with Peterson on trumpet on a warmly driven “Naima’s Love Song”. Horn is exquisite on the deft ballad “Tears Cannot Hide” and bops with Curtis during “Jodi.” Peterson is a pulse master here, giving some African fragrances to the loose title piece, and digging into vintage bop on the Monkish “Four Play” and joyful “Bouncing With Bud”. He gives gracious support to bass and piano on the nimble undercurrent of “Blue Hughes” and the lush “I Want To Be There For You”. Understated and underrated currents that run deep.