Guitarist
George Freeman has long been in the shadow of his brother, tenor saxophonist
Von Freeman and his nephew, saxophonist
Chico Freeman. The guitarist does a fine job of generating excitement on this well-rounded and varied set, which ranges from heated blues to soul-jazz. Most of the selections feature Freeman in a quartet with pianist Lou Gregory, drummer Phil Thomas, and veteran bassist Eldee Young (who was with the
Ramsey Lewis Trio in the 1960s). Brother
Von sits in on "Vonski," Ron Cooper adds a so-so vocal to "And She Left Me," and the one-time vocal team of Cooper and
Joanie Pallatto sound like a somewhat demented (and oddly successful) version of
Jackie & Roy on "Here's Bruz." But most of the focus is on the leader, and
George Freeman plays in prime form throughout. ~ Scott Yanow