by Scott Yanow
Trumpeter Woody Shaw's final album as a leader (cut less than two years before his passing) is surprisingly upbeat. Although his health became shaky, Shaw never declined as a player, as he shows throughout the spirited quintet outing with his longtime trombonist Steve Turre, pianist Kirk Lightsey, bassist Ray Drummond and drummer Carl Allen. Other than Turre's &Steve's Blues,& all of the pieces are veteran standards (including &If I Were A Bell,& &Imagination& and &You And The Night And The Music&), yet they sound quite fresh and contain more than their share of subtle surprises. Recommended.