Even though this is
Steve Wilson
's fourth
Criss Cross
recording, this is his first recording featuring his working band of pianist
Bruce Barth
, bassist
Larry Grenadier
, and drummer
Leon Parker
whose use of a stripped-down drum set of bass drum, snare drum, and one ride cymbal provides the foundation for the group's lean and cohesive sound.
Wilson
, who plays only alto sax on this date, contributed only two compositions, the beautiful waltz
"Wish You Were Here"
and the aptly titled sax-drums duo;
"Groovesome Twosome"
;
Barth
contributed two
Monk
-inspired medium-up swingers,
"By the Window,"
with changes similar to
"I Got Rhythm,"
and the angular
"Up and Down"
; and
Parker
contributed
"Belief,"
which originally appeared on saxophonist
Don Braden
's
Organic
CD and is also the title track of
's second CD as a leader. This is the best version of
"Belief"
here, beginning with an Afro-Latin rhythm but changing into a medium shuffle a la
Art Blakey
. Of the two jazz classics on
Four for Time
they are given fresh arrangements by
. On
Juan Tizol
"Perdido,"
the melody is not even stated until after burning solos by
and
, a brief drum solo by
, and a composed unison line played by
, while
Dizzy Gillespie
"Woody N' You"
is given a Latin-influenced treatment. This is an excellent recorded document of a fine working band. ~ Greg Turner