The second release (following an obscure set for Osmosis in 1983) by this underrated saxophone ensemble has one original apiece from three of the players (altoist
Ed Jackson, tenor saxophonist
Rich Rothenberg and baritonist
Jim Hartog) and two from the group's best-known player, altoist
Bobby Watson.
The Twenty-Ninth Street Sax Quartet, on this album from
Watson's small label New Note, offers an alternative to the freer a cappella sax playing of
the World Saxophone Quartet and Rova but is also adventurous in its own way. Highlights include the spirited "K.C.Q.," "Watch Your Step" (which is a good feature for all of the players) and the somewhat scary "Hotel de Funk."
–
Scott Yanow, Rovi