's brilliant legacy as the saxophonist in 's '60s and '70s bands is never far from his musical thoughts -- and on this explosive, funked- and jazzed-up live set, he digs into those glory days with a bold, brassy, and pumped-up twist on "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag" (featuring on vocals and sax) and a drum, bass, and improvisation-heavy romp through "Soul Power." These are the centerpiece tracks on a live concert recording of a high-energy November, 2011 show at the Leverkusener Jazz Festival in Leverkusener, Germany -- a set that backs 's own small group (bass great and drummer ) with the , a Cologne-based 15-piece orchestra led by conductor/arranger . It's a reunion of sorts for the saxophonist and this dynamic ensemble, who worked together on the similarly dynamic 2008 set , a set of covers and originals dedicated to 's greatest musical influence, . The saxman's intent here is to cover a wider range of soul music that has influenced him and those of subsequent generations, and his choice of material and arrangements are stellar, fluid, and grooving to the point where toe tapping, singing, and dancing along is inevitable. Best among the choices are expansive spins through two irrepressible gems, "I Wish" (whose eight minutes allow for plenty of horn sizzle and a feisty drum solo) and the swinging, bluesy "Higher Ground." pays homage to with a simmering, sizzling "Rock Steady," and cools his heels on covers of deep R&B tracks by , , and a smooth, jazzy stroll through 's "One in a Million You." adds to his own catalog as a composer on the final track, "Come by and See Me," a freewheeling jam that channels 's spirit perfectly. After nearly five decades in the spotlight, was still looking forward -- and his audience couldn't get enough. ~ Jonathan Widran