Tenor saxophonist Seamus Blake, who was 24 at the time, is in excellent form on this creative post-bop set. He is teamed with the atmospheric and inventive guitarist Kurt Rosenwinkel, pianist Kevin Hays, bassist Larry Grenadier, and drummer Bill Stewart on seven originals (including “Nobody’s Song but His Own,” “Mercy Days,” and two versions of “Vanguard Blues”), “Prelude to a Kiss,” and “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes.” At this early stage in his career, Blake already had a pretty original sound on tenor and a good tone on soprano. One of the highpoints of the set is “Zydeco,” which, although sounding nothing at all like zydeco music, features some particularly passionate playing from Blake. Recommended. – Scott Yanow
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