Many of pianist Barron's recordings have been done with one set lineup. Though he has a core band of bassist Rufus Reid, drummer Billy Hart, tenor saxophonist David Sanchez, and trumpeter Eddie Henderson, the leader changes up the music quite a bit on this diversely adorned recording of two standards and eight originals. There are two duet tracks -- one with guitarist Russell Malone, the other with Sanchez. And Then Again is a 12-bar bopper on which Malone cops stairstep refrains from Misterioso. McCoy Tyner's kinetic Passion Dance features piano and tenor in a wonderful terpsichore. Barron's his own man as an improviser. Brazilian moments always crop up on his recordings; this album sports a long, languid, samba-tinged take on Billy Strayhorn's Passion Flower, as well as the breezy melody of Cook's Bay, which features a tick-tock samba similar to Jobim's Waters of March. These group efforts are joined by the Art Blakey-like The Pelican, one of Barron's best writing jobs. In stark contrast is the funky, dark modal juggernaut The Wizard, with banged-up, half-crazed chords from Malone, and the grooving Afro-Cuban minimalism of the title cut. The rhapsodic Passion Flower and Um Beijo both feature violinist Regina Carter. Barron's romantic notions are best displayed on the delicate, trumpet-fired bossa ballad Sonja Braga and serene waltz The Question Is.... Barron has amassed a formidable number of high-quality recordings, but this ranks right up there near the top. ~ Michael G. Nastos, Rovi

1		Pelican
2		Spirit Song
3		Um Beijo
4		Passion Flower
5		Passion Dance
6		Sonja Braga
7		The Question Is
8		The Wizard
9		Cook's Bay
10		And Then Again