Bobby Watson

• 4 STARS DOWNBEAT MAGAZINE

Alto saxophonist Bobby Watson’s quintet keeps it real on this entertaining album by hewing to the general hard-bop format the bandleader absorbed and refined during his stint as music director of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers from 1977 to ’81. Catchy melodies steeped in blues and gospel tropes and grounded in steadily swinging, flavorful rhythm-section accompaniment aren’t likely to go wrong when capable soloists enjoy what they’re playing.

PERSONNEL:

• Bobby Watson - alto sax
• Josh Evans - trumpet on 1,3,6-9
• Giveton Gellin - trumpet on 2,4 & 5
• Victor Gould - piano
• Curtis Lundy - bass
• Victor Jones - drums

TRACKS:

• 01. Condition Blue
• 02. Keepin’ It Real
• 03. Elementary, My Dear Watson 2020
• 04. Someday We’ll All Be Free
• 05. Mohawk
• 06. My Song
• 07. One for John (747)
• 08. Flamenco Sketches
• 09. The Mystery of Ebop