Veteran drummer
Dick Berk
led a series of groups under the name of
the Jazz Adoption Society
in the 1990s, featuring young up-and-coming players. This set has superior solos from pianist
Tad Weed
(the group's musical director) and trombonist
Andy Martin
, plus fine backup work from bassist
Jeff Littleton
, but it is most notable for the hard-charging solos of tenor saxophonist
Jay Collins
. The opening
"New Life Blues"
(which near its beginning has a tenor-drums duet) sets the mood for the rest of the fine
hard bop
date. Other highlights along the way are a rare post-
Coltrane
version of
"My Favorite Things,"
"You Know I Care,"
Thelonious Monk
's
"Let's Cool One,"
and
Berk
"Roberta."
Easily recommended to straight-ahead
jazz
fans. ~ Scott Yanow