I was less than enthusiastic about trumpeter Magnarelli in a recent review. Happily, it's possible to be rather more appreciative this time. He sounds properly engaged on this, the 10th album under his own name, with an able partner alongside and backed by a pianoless rhythm section that lights all the necessary fires. We’re in hardbop territory, with four Magnarelli originals flanked by a mixture of standards and compositions by like-minded associates. The opener ‘Akira’ (named for drummer Akira Tana) is nicely zesty with Magnarelli intricate and Fusco fervent, the drums and bass momentum just right. Nothing is over-long or tedious, just strong and well-focused. The leader's ‘2nd Anniversary’ is in ballad mode, Fusco thoughtful, his sound quite plaintive, Hart's chords unfolding behind him, the composer softer and more airy, momentarily akin to Kenny Dorham or Clifford Brown. Hart chords quickly into ‘Vercelli’, which is perky, the harmonised melody clean and neat, Fusco's sinuous line uncoiling over Hart's clever accompaniment, drummer Landon handling all the latin beats with aplomb. Magnarelli's longest solo comes on ‘If I Love Again’ and offers a dazzling array of ideas, as does Fusco, while Wolfe bounds in and Hart is expressive. The Penguin Guide to Jazz on CD described Joe as “a briskly competent technician”, and that seems about right.