This intriguing set has more than its share of variety. Jane Bunnett pays tribute to Rahsaan Roland Kirk with some speechlike flute on “Serenade to a Cuckoo,” recalls Steve Lacy a bit with her soprano on two Thelonious Monk pieces (“Pannonica” and “Brake’s Sake”) and her originals (along with those of trumpeter Larry Cramer) range from advanced bop to fairly free improvising. Vocalists Sheila Jordan (wonderful on “You Must Believe in Spring”) and Jeanne Lee have individual features and are both major parts of the ancient hymn “The Water Is Wide” while the rhythm section (pianist Don Pullen, bassist Kieran Overs and drummer Billy Hart) consistently displays flexibility and creative reactions to the directions of the lead voices. – Scott Yanow
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