The highly experienced Foster (born 1944)is a veteran now, and used this session to associate with players from the next generation after his. Hence star players like Payton, Potter and Hays. Having sorted a varied, 11-track play-list, much of it Monk-inspired [Foster played with Monk for a week in 1969] he allowed things to let rip from there. We’ll call it bracing hard bop with a contemporary edge. Both Potter and Payton brought tunes in but those that seem to work best on the session are from Foster’s contemporaries, notably ‘Pent Up House’ by Rollins, where Potter goes at full tilt. The same goes for Tyner’s ‘Blues on the Corner’, Archer walking positively and then soloing, once Potter has paused for breath, Foster clattering alongside.

The leader’s comely ballad ‘Anastasia’ is played with almost hymn-like solemnity and is gorgeous, Hays quite spare, Potter plaintively lyrical on soprano, Payton at his imposing, softly spoken best. ‘Half Nelson’ is similarly grounded, Payton building a solo that retains interest, Potter referencing Coltrane but in a manner that stays well within bounds and Hays is excellent. ‘Six’ by Payton appeals less, referencing late-period Davis before and after it moves into a quasi-Crescent City funk beat, Hays comping with the Fender Rhodes, a strutting riff to end. Foster’s ‘Monk’s Bossa’ has an interesting feel and while its author mostly underplays throughout, I think a tad more drive from him might have been good to have.