Saxophonist/flutist/bass clarinetist Chris Potter played with a lot of musicians in the 1990s--from Renee Rosnes to Grammy winners Steely Dan. On his first CD for Verve, he's backed by drummer Brian Blade, bassist Scott Colley, and keyboardist Kevin Hays, and the leader pays tribute to the great saxmasters of jazz with his muscular tenor tones and snaky soprano lines. "The Source" is a second-line-tempo take on John Coltrane's "sheets of sound." "Shadow" is a moody look at Joe Henderson, and the "saxophone colossus," Sonny Rollins, is heralded on the Latin-tinged "Sun King." Coleman Hawkins's "Body and Soul" comes courtesy of Potter's bass clarinet, and Ornette Coleman's "Vox Humana" gets an Asian-toned flute treatment. Potter's love letter to his elders is music to our ears. --Eugene Holley Jr.
