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The veteran bassist Lonnie Plaxico (Cassandra Wilson, Don Byron) leads a tough and tight band on this energized live recording. If few of the band members are well known, apart from saxophonist Marcus Strickland, that's little reflection on their prowess as alert improvisers. Plaxico -- no surprise -- holds it all down in style; long experience as an in-demand sideman has lent him obvious skills as leader. The blend of sharp original compositions with classics works well in proving that today's best jazz players have one eye on the tradition and another on contemporary expression. William Pearl, Barnes & Noble