Pianist Orrin Evans takes the front stage as he leads a team of all stars and guests on this album of post boppers. The core unit of Nicholas Payton/tp, Gary Thomas/sax-fl, Robert Hurst/b and “Smitty” Smith/dr is supplemented by Buster Williams/b, Gene Jackson/dr, Larry McKenna/ts, Jazzmeia Horn-Sy Smith-Alita Moses/voc and the late Wallace Roney/tp, on possibly his last recording.
Jazzmeia Horn is in a bohemian mood as she tells a story on “ Big Small” while the team gets herky jerky on the fun and New Orleanish “Phoebe’s Stroll”. Evans is in lovely form around Payton’s muted horn with some fragrant flute work on “Weezy” and the team jabs like middleweights on the loose shadowboxing of the title tune”. Lots of ideas and directions on each track, with plenty of solo spacing for contemplation.