Greg Abate - Evolution (2002)

A top hard bop altoist and tenor saxophonist based in the Northeastern U.S., Greg Abate normally plays a lot of standards, but this set is quite a bit different. Although boppish in general, Abate and his quartet (with pianist James Williams, bassist Harvie Swartz, and drummer Billy Hart) perform nine of the leader's originals, songs that usually utilize fresh chord changes. Abate (who also plays some soprano on this date) and Williams take many fine solos and the CD moves along like a suite, although the individual pieces also stand on their own. An excellent effort. © Scott Yanow