AMG Review of Terminal 1

Matt Collar
All Music Guide

Tying in with his cameo appearance in Steven Spielberg's film #The Terminal, saxophonist Benny Golson returns with Terminal 1. Featuring more of his sophisticated and swinging tunes, the album finds Golson in top form on some of his best compositions in years. Joining him on the front line here are esteemed trumpeter Eddie Henderson, deft pianist Mike LeDonne, bassist Buster Williams, and drummer Carl Allen. The title track is a mid-'60s-sounding angular piece designed to bring to mind the hustle of airports. Similarly engaging is the gorgeous ballad "Park Avenue Petite," which allows for some burnished melodicism from Henderson. It is also nice to hear Golson and company dig into the under-recorded standard "Cherry." Calling to mind the best Blue Note-era recordings, Terminal 1 is one flight of fancy not to be missed.