Ralph Bowen was first heard with OTB (Out of the Blue) on Blue Note back in the 1970s. He's now a highly respected educator, best known for his association with Rutgers University. Earning himself the nickname ‘the casual perfectionist’, an apt description of a post-Coltrane stylist, Bowen is someone who's never afraid to take risks, but who generally plays with the smoothest sound imaginable. Bassist Kenny Davis has played on several Bowen albums over the years, but Ridl and Almond are new to me. Actually, they are all educators and Ridl is an absolutely superb pianist, both rhythmically and harmonically, in a style that perhaps owes to those of Tyner and Jarrett, but with a strong personal identity. The material comprises a five-piece collection by Bowen; ‘The Phylogeny Suite’, with alliterational titles like ‘A Rookery of Ravens’, ‘A Pandemonium of Parrots’ and ‘A Flamboyance of Flamingos’, followed by an attractive ballad by Davis (‘Aye’), a funky Dave Liebman theme (‘Picadilly Lilly’) and Tyner's classic, ‘Search For Peace’. The empathy between the four players is quite extraordinary. Vamps play a key part throughout, starting on track one with Ridl inspiring drummer Almond. Solos are evenly distributed over the titles and Ridl switching to Rhodes on a couple adds yet more colour, especially on ‘Parrots’. Bowen himself is better than ever and the CD is unreservedly recommended. You'll play it a lot.