Despite going on at some length about doing 14 takes (in fairness, including false starts) on the title track of this album, though also managing to get four masters recorded in two and a half hours, Eric Alexander and company make it all sound so easy. And despite criticisms that he always plays safe by using the same batch of musicians, rather than working with differing stylists who might challenge him more, this, his umpteenth with Mabern, Webber and Farnsworth, turns out to be arguably one of the most impressive he's ever made. He steadfastly defends his choice of material too, stressing the limitless amount of music to be made on running the changes of familiar tunes. He's particularly impressive on the several up- tempo tracks, with ‘The Night Has a Thousand Eyes’ outstanding, where he explores the middle and lower registers of his horn before taking off for some – for him – unusually upper echelon fireworks. His rhythm team plays exceptionally well on all titles. Veteran Mabern, whom this writer finds somewhat irritating on some occasions, sounds younger and more inventive than ever, with really supportive comping and solos, the often overlooked John Webber is superb especially on those up-tempos, while Joe Farnsworth, in really modern mode, almost breathes as one with Alexander. Oh, and Pat Martino's guest appearances seamlessly match the overall mood. Nearly five stars.