Curtis Lundy - Against All Odds (1999)

Despite performing in the bands of Betty Carter, Art Blakey and Pharoah Sanders, bassist Curtis Lundy remains somewhat of a secret. But Against All Odds should swing the Miami native out of obscurity. What piques the interest throughout is the interplay between Lundy and his rhythm section, which alternates between pianists Hicks and Anthony Wonsey and drummer Winard Harper. The recording, which also features everyone from Pevin Everett and Bobby Watson, to Roy Hargrove, Shelley Carrol and Lundy's sister Carmen, brings musicians together in compelling configurations to perform nine tunes that range from Lundy's tear-jerking "Teardrops" to Onaje Allan Gumb's "All Things Being Equal Are Not." Each combination swings with stylistic cohesiveness, especially on "Do I Ever Cross Your Mind?" and "Player's Anthem," which features impressive work from Watson, Carrol and Hargrove. -- Nate Guidry ~ JazzTimes.com