Jimmy Heath
is in top form throughout this quartet session, which took place on the day his elder sister died after a lingering illness. Backed by his brother
Albert "Tootie" Heath
on drums, guitarist
Tony Purrone
, and bassist
Kiyoshi Kitagawa
, the tenor saxophonist revisits his fluid
blues
"The Quota"
(which is very appropriately full of interesting quotes, displaying the leader's witty side) and debuts a new work, the enticing
"Rio Dawn."
He also delves into the works of other important
jazz
composers, including a lightly swinging treatment of
Duke Pearson
's
"Is That So?,"
a potent arrangement of
Blue Mitchell
's lively
calypso
"Fungii Mama,"
and an extended workout of
Tadd Dameron
"Hot House"
that features each of the musicians in the spotlight to good effect. But it is
's lush rendition of
Duke Ellington
ballad
"All Too Soon"
that leaves the most lasting impression on this outstanding date. ~ Ken Dryden