Jim Rotondi has quietly made his way to the very top tier of jazz trumpeters, and this CD proves it. Known primarily for his lengthy association with tenorman Eric Alexander & organ dynamo Charles Earland, this album is a tour de force. Jim is joined by a complete "first call" band consisting of Mulgrew Miller, Joe Locke, Peter Washington & Joe Farnsworth. With a tip of the hat to the trumpet/vibes concept of Woody Shaw & Bobby Hutcherson, this CD is that jazz rarity: a "straight-ahead" recording that is nonetheless completely forward looking.