Although it wasn't released until 1995, this album was recorded in 1993, when
Chris Potter
was still in the process of emerging as a great jazz talent. Still,
Sundiata
ranks as one of
Potter
's finest efforts. His band members -- (
Kevin Hays
on piano,
Doug Weiss
on bass, and the great
Al Foster
on drums -- push him to inspired heights on tenor, alto, and soprano saxophones. Two of the session's originals,
"Hibiscus"
and
"Leap of Faith,"
are unforgettable. And
's confident readings of
Sonny Rollins
'
"Airegin"
(sans piano) and the timeless standard,
"Body and Soul,"
firmly establish that he knows the tradition like the back of his hand.
is an early sign of
's importance in the jazz world. ~ David R. Adler