This is a CD that puts the HARD in Hard Bop. Eddie Allen (tp), Dan Faulk (sp,tn saxophones), Anthony Wonsey (pn), Richie Goods (bs), Cindy Blackmon (dr). This is on the Enja label and it is well recorded. A nice mixture of Hard Bop originals. Tight unison lines over fresh melodies. Starts out with an intricate arrangment of Herbie Hancocks Eye of the Hurricane that lets you know that this is a hip record. Eddie Allen's previous Enja relase entitle R&B ( a misnomer if there ever was one) is also a very very good modern day hard bop record.Stablemates is also done nicely hear. Cindy Blackmon is fierce and you can hear the obvious Roy Haynes, through Tony Williams influence on her drumming. Staggering. Her lead dates are a mixed bag (Code Red is nice as is Oracle) but her playing is without a doubt.
Dan Faulk plays nicely and may have lost a bit of raw power due to an illness but a couple of passages shine. Wonsey is steller as is Richie Goods. The leader provides a shining example of what it means to play Hard Bop out of the Lee Morgan and Blue Mitchell mode. I like this record.
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