A fine hard bop tenor saxophonist,
Craig Handy performs four of his originals, four by drummer
Ali Jackson, and
Charles Mingus' "Eclipse." Five of the songs feature the quartet of
Handy,
Jackson, pianist
Geri Allen, and bassist
Rodney Whitaker. "Waiting for Your Call" and "Unravel the Mystery" add guitarist
Dave Stryker and the talking of Tara Cruise, which in this context is an acquired taste. "Eclipse" and "Adona's Song" have six horns and pianist
Stephen Scott joining
Handy,
Whitaker, and
Jackson on a pair of arrangements by
Sy Johnson. The leader plays some particularly rewarding soprano and his program is well-paced with plenty of variety, swinging in a modern fashion with just enough unpredictability to keep one guessing.