On this live club date, recorded at in Amsterdam, and his combo (tubaist and drummer ) perform a nice cross section of his most familiar material. 's husky, virile alto sax has never sounded better, and though the recording quality is a little thin, the music comes roaring through the speakers nonetheless. The good-time swinger kicks things off, and is followed by the rambling bopper which is the leader at perhaps his most quintessential. The showstopper is a reworked, energized on which uses his mallets to fine effect, blows a minimal but insistent tuba, and unfurls more of his startling improvisational legerdemain. A quirky, elusive 9/8 rhythm informs the tuba modality of and the title track sports a sneaky melody and a short but free discourse without drums. The trio digs right in on even dispensing with an intro. The slow waltz (written by for ) and the funky and fat close this satisfying set. In his insightful liner notes, questions 's diminished cachet among critics. That he's moved back home to San Diego from New York City might be an issue, but it doesn't detract from the fact that 's sound and vision remain as fresh and vital as ever. ~ Michael G. Nastos