is joined by a set of veteran jazz performers for a no-nonsense, down-to-earth blowing session recalling those magnificent and recordings of the 1950s and '60s by , , and others. The first cut, was the vehicle for the seminal / tenor sax battle recorded in 1947, which set the ground rules for all such battles to come. On this cut, shows he has lost little, if any, of the fingering dexterity that characterized his playing in earlier days with such notables as , and . continues to be equally adroit on alto as he is on tenor, bringing out the smaller sax on (the latter a composition by piano player ). A highlight of the album is the very poignant rendition of 's played in soulful, long musical lines. , the successor to the old label, became a home for several veteran saxophonists. In addition to , the stable includes deserves considerable kudos for providing a forum for this hard driving saxophone playing, done with soul, which otherwise might be lost. ~ Dave Nathan