| On this Timeless CD, Canadian pianist Bernie Senensky teams up with three well-respected American players (Bobby Watson on alto and soprano, bassist Ray Drummond and drummer Marvin "Smitty" Smith) and he is not shy about using their talents. Watson in particular often steals the show, sounding quite at home with the modern hard boppish repertoire (six Senensky originals, one apiece by the altoist and Drummond, "Soul Eyes" and Herbie Hancock's "Eye of the Hurricane"). From the opening Tristano-ish blues "Bop-Be" and the hard-driving bossa nova "Lolito's Theme" to Watson's own "Wheel Within a Wheel," Bobby Watson is in top form. Although Bernie Senensky is often heard here in a supporting role, his diverse originals set the moods for the session and his subtle solos are quite enjoyable in their own right. The music is consistently creative and full of enough surprises and strong improvisations to make this an easily recommended set.
Recorded at: Jazz Partners Studio, Toronto, Canada, 26 and 27 February 1991. |