Although is titular head of the quintet, three-fifths of its personnel is made up of members of the group -- on drums, on bass and on tenor sax. Regular pianist is replaced by , who has a robust, two-handed attack, although perhaps less of 's musical eccentricity. plays his customary alto sax and saxello, no longer doubling on electric keyboards as he did during his early days. The long opening piece, betrays a strong and not unwelcome influence, beginning with the rolling thunder of 's piano, and then a solemn minor theme played by the saxes in unison. Everyone then has ample opportunities for soloing, with 's hoarse, impassioned tenor a highlight, along with a serpentine duet between the unaccompanied horns at the end of the piece. A subsequent ballad, has taking an initial lyrical solo, followed by and then apparently by again on his other horn. Very lovely playing, indeed. The remained two tracks on the CD are more in the mode of , going beyond the standard format of theme and solos and into the more challenging world of collective improvisation where the musicians take turns following one another's lead and combine in temporary duets and trios, pushing the music in various directions. These pieces are abstract and sometimes abrasive, with fewer touchstones for the listener, but they offer substantial creative challenges for both listener and musician. Whatever the territory, this group of musicians traverses it with panache. ~ Bill Tilland