Although it wasn't released until 1995, this album was recorded in 1993, when
Chris Potter was still in the process of emerging as a great jazz talent. Still,
Sundiata ranks as one of
Potter's finest efforts. His band members -- (
Kevin Hays on piano,
Doug Weiss on bass, and the great
Al Foster on drums -- push him to inspired heights on tenor, alto, and soprano saxophones. Two of the session's originals, "Hibiscus" and "Leap of Faith," are unforgettable. And
Potter's confident readings of
Sonny Rollins' "Airegin" (sans piano) and the timeless standard, "Body and Soul," firmly establish that he knows the tradition like the back of his hand.
Sundiata is an early sign of
Chris Potter's importance in the jazz world. ~ David R. Adler