Old cat and young lions
Nikica Gilic | Zagreb, Croatia | 05/17/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Joined by some of the most "in" jazz musicians of the 90s (naturally, mostly traditionalists to a degree), good old "Bags" (Milt Jackson) really shines and shows how glad he is to be playing with such a fine group of younger artists...
With Nicholas Payton(tp), Joshua Redman(ts), Jesse Davis (as) and Christian McBride (b) in their early prime, with Benny Green (p) and already middle-aged Kenny Washington (dm) already at their game, it would have been a miracle if the album failed to deliver hot and at times sensitive music ("Masquerade is over" is especially dear to me; it really shows Jackson's subtle side)...
Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying this album is equal to Milt's best work with Gillespie, MJQ, Coltrane, Basie and other giants, but it's still top class jazz, mostly boppish and hard-boppish and a fine chance to hear one of the greatest modern jazz artists (and one of the finest performers in the history of vibraphone).
Don't let the silly cover art fool you."