One of relatively few psychiatrists who has simultaneously established himself as an active jazz musician with an extensive discography (another is Denny Zeitlin), Eddie Henderson's prescription for jazz fans is this mellow, primarily ballad-oriented studio session. With pianist Kevin Hays, bassist Ed Howard and drummer Billy Hart, Henderson reprises one of Miles Davis' most memorable tracks from Kind of Blue. While he sticks to muted trumpet (as Davis did), his solo probes different ground, even with a similar tempo. Two works by the leader's wife Natsuko Henderson include Around the World in 3/4 (a lush waltz feature for his flugelhorn) and Precious Moment, a lyrical ballad with a slight bittersweet edge with a moving chorus by Hays. The extended workout of the Swedish folk song Dear Old Stockholm and the turbulent setting of Wayne Shorter's Dance Cadaverous break out from the mostly subdued sound of the remainder of the CD. The surprise closing track is a straightforward performance of the Christmas carol Silent Night by Henderson on flugelhorn, though Hays' synthesizer accompaniment and the unusual rhythm backing the leader prove to be a bit distracting. In any case, Precious Moment is easily recommended to fans of post-bop. ~ Ken Dryden, Rovi

1		To Wisdom the Prize
2		Blue in Green
3		Around the World in 3/4
4		Precious Moment
5		Dear Old Stockholm
6		Unforgettable
7		Dance Cadaverous
8		Wild Flower
9		Silent Night, Holy Night

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