This is one of those records that could easily be overlooked and fall through the floorboards – you know, another two horns and a Hammond R&B group. But that would be a crime, because it’s one of the most tasteful of its kind in ages. The material has been carefully and interestingly chosen, the musicianship is top class and the production and mixing (Mike Marciano at Systems Two in Brooklyn) is as good as you’ll get. (Listen to the way he’s recorded the drums and percussion together). Warfield is at his post-boppish best with solid support from Stafford, whose solo on Wayne Shorter’s ‘Sleeping Dancer, Sleep On’ is a standout and Pat Bianchi, best known for his work with Pat Martino, swings and soars soulfully in the background, all the time spurred on by the underrated Byron Landham with Sadownick’s percussion. The tunes include a slightly different 12-bar by pianist Anthony Wonsey (‘Lenny’s Lens’), an old but excellent tune by another pianist, Donald Brown and the outstanding Wayne Shorter song, originally cut on the Jazz Messengers’ Blue Note album, Like Someone in Love. There’s a funky version of ‘Ode to Billie Joe’, a Mahalia Jackson-recorded gospel tune and a nearly 11-minute mainly tenor ballad feature, which does go on a bit. Add three up-tempos and you’ve got a really enjoyable, fun set. Tim Warfield shows why so many leaders want him.