On the first half of this superb program ("Woody I," "Woody II," and "Woody III"),
Shaw, one of the finest trumpeters of the '70s and '80s, heads a 12-piece group featuring such sidemen as tenor saxophonist
Carter Jefferson, trombonists
Steve Turre and
Curtis Fuller, altoist
James Spaulding, and pianist
Onaje Allan Gumbs. The second half has a pair of other
Shaw originals ("To Kill a Brick" and "Organ Grinder") plus bassist
Clint Houston's "Escape Velocity." For the latter performances,
Shaw (who doubles on flügelhorn and cornet for the date) is showcased with groups ranging from a quartet to a sextet. He is in peak form throughout, and the strong compositions (along with some adventurous solos) make this one of
Woody Shaw's most essential recordings.