Forever in Bloomington, MN

Forever
marks the second release on the
Criss Cross
label by tenor saxophonist
Jimmy Greene
. These eight tracks embrace both traditional and fresh arrangements guided by a
spiritual
nature. The interpretations of
"Old Rugged Cross"
and
Duke Ellington
's
"Come Sunday"
are compelling, as is
"You Make Me Feel Brand New,"
originally recorded by
the Stylistics
and not necessarily thought of as a
, but in this context the song fits perfectly. Of the five
Greene
originals,
"In Many Tongues"
"Power"
are standouts given the overtly celebratory concept and execution backed by a powerful rhythm section of
Xavier Davis
on piano,
John Benitez
on bass, and
Jeff "Tain" Watts
on drums,
and his cohorts' reverence is obvious but thankfully not overbearing; they never forget that this is a
jazz
date and supposed to swing. ~ Al Campbell