Not only is this vintage George Adams, from a time when his playing was at its most fluent and inventive, but it is an example of Kenny Wheeler at his best as well – both as soloist and composer. On his opening composition ‘Baba’, Wheeler's flugelhorn creates dark, almost threatening, textures in the introductory section, a mood sustained by DeJohnette's atmospheric drumming behind Adams' thoughtful solo. As the band returns to the scored chart it moves towards an inexorable ensemble climax to usher in one of Wheeler's most dramatic high-note solos, maybe proof of the perfect balance between composition and improvisation in his work. Adams' own ‘Imani's Dance’ moves between metres and tempi, reminding us that he too was a fine creator of pieces, as well as a stellar soloist. Richie Beirach is a fine counterpart to the great rhythm section partnership of Holland and DeJohnette, and Sauer reminds us he too was a composer. His brooding ‘Stay Informed’ is the centerpiece for the set. Adams turns in a characteristically eccentric vocal on the raunchy ‘Got Somethin' Good For You’, before the band returns to what it does best – beautifully balanced, considered, slightly introspective explorations of a theme – in Wheeler's ‘A Spire’ that closes the disc. If you only know Adams' work from his Mingus or McCoy Tyner days, this album is a must-have.