Criss Cross is famous as one of the top European bop-oriented labels, so this particular release was a real departure. The music uses electronics a bit; the playing is open to the influences of the avant-garde and funk, and the instrumentation is a bit different:
Seamus Blake and
Chris Cheek on tenors,
Jesse Murphy on electric bass and both
Jorge Rossy and
Dan Reiser on drums. With the exception of an eccentric version of "Sing, Sing, Sing," all of the tunes are originals by either
Blake or
Cheek, including such titles as "Hick As Heck," "Final Sauna" and "To Be Ornette to Be." An intriguing, if not essential set. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
