This is possibly pianist
Geri Allen's most advanced release. Always a pianist with her own voice, the increasingly original
Allen performs three atmospheric piano solos, including a version of
Ron Carter's "Little Waltz," during which she adds a little bit of synthesizer. There is a duet with percussionist
Cyro Baptista, two duets with altoist
Ornette Coleman (who through the years has almost never recorded as a sideman), and four numbers in which
Allen is joined by her husband trumpeter
Wallace Roney (two of which also include
Baptista). Except for the
Ornette pieces,
Allen is the dominant force throughout the intriguing set, which includes the very haunting "Windows to the Soul" (dedicated to the recently departed drummer
Tony Williams). The music is mostly avant-garde, but purposeful and logical in its own fashion. Well worth several listens.
–
Scott Yanow, Rovi