AMG Review of Brilliant Circles

Scott Yanow
All Music Guide

Pianist Stanley Cowell's second recording as a leader finds him leading a powerful all-star sextet that includes trumpeter Woody Shaw, Tyrone Washington on tenor, flute and clarinet, vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson, bassist Reggie Workman and drummer Joe Chambers. The challenging repertoire (an original apiece by Cowell, Washington, Shaw and Hutcherson) falls between advanced hard bop and the avant-garde, consistently inspiring the talented players to play at their most creative. Recommended.