So voluminous is the late ‘universal music’ pioneer's discography that it's easy to overlook some of the less celebrated entries. Generally speaking Lateef's 1960s output is thought to represent his creative peak but this album, from the less fashionable 1970s, should not be too hastily overlooked. Essentially, this is Lateef in jazzy soul mode and the input of Atlantic session royalty – Rainey, Gale, Johnson – ensures that the more populist slant of the music does not come with any compromises on quality. The rhythm playing is exemplary. If a slightly overwrought version of ‘Hey Jude’ sadly compromises that in some way then the pay-off comes in excellent originals by pianist Kenny Barron, the best of which is ‘Nubian Lady’, a slow-mid tempo tribute to black women that has a typically sensitive performance by Lateef on flute. Although Lateef is synonymous with his embrace of non-western music and instruments, he always had a strong handle on the funky end of the blues aesthetic, as can be heard on this set, which has aged well. Fans of Herbie Mann, Hubert Laws and David Newman should take note.