A soulful set from trumpeter Marcus Printup – a player who seems to just get better and better with each new recording! The set's cut in some especially great company – reedman Ted Nash on tenor and flute and pianist Eric Reed – both players who bring a depth of feeling to the record that's really appreciated, and accompany Printup's strong lead with a bold sort of energy. The horn interplay is especially great – but then again, so are the solos – and there's a mix of modern and soulful energy going on here that almost reminds us of Joe Henderson at his 60s best – no surprise as the record features versions of Henderson's "Recorda-Me" and "A Shade Of Jade". Other tracks include "Dindi", "Eighty One", "Blue In Green", "Una Mujer Elegante", "London Lullaby", and "Tears Inside". CD

Wynton Marsalis, Marcus Printup, Riley Mullins, Roger Ingram, Russell Gunn, Ryan Kisor, and Seneca Black on trumpet, Wess Anderson on clarinet, alto and soprano saxophone, James Carter on clarinet, bass clarinet, and baritone saxophone, Victor Goines on clarinet, tenor and soprano saxophone and bass clarinet, Walter Blanding on soprano saxophone, Robert Stewart on tenor saxophone, Ron Westray and Wayne Goodman on trombone, Wycliffe Gordon on trombone and tuba, Michael Ward on violin, Eric Reed on piano, Reginald Veal on bass, and Herlin Riley on drums and tambourine with vocals from Cassandra Wilson, Jon Hendricks, and Miles Griffith. CD

There's way more than sufficient grace going on here – and a strongly soulful swing that really has the whole album coming together, right on the money! Maybe that's no surprise, though, given that the set's issued on the excellent WJ3 label from Willie Jones III, who plays drums at the core of the record, next to the bass of Sean Conly – while Tardy carves out all these wonderfully fluid, feeling lines next to the trumpet of Marcus Printup – who himself sounds better than usual, and makes for a perfect fit for Tardy. Keith Brown handles piano on the quintet session, all tunes are Tardy originals, and titles include "Tree & Its Fruit", "I Choose You", "For Deacon Rock", "The Omnipresent Cardiologist", "Janel's Love Song", and "Nick Hoot". CD