John Hicks - Piece For My Peace (1996) {Landmark LCD-1545-2}

Pianist John Hicks has long been a master of the modern mainstream without necessarily blazing any new paths of his own. On this CD he is featured on a pair of solo numbers, a duet with flutist Elise Wood (a sensitive version of Duke Ellington's "Star Crossed Lovers"), a trio rendition (with bassist Curtis Lundy and drummer Cecil Brooks III.) of "Mood Swings," with a quintet (a blazing version of "My Shining Hour" that has both Bobby Watson and Vincent Herring on altos) and five selections with the full sextet. Four standards follow six obscurities (including Charles Mingus' "Diane"). Hicks, who often shows off the influence of McCoy Tyner's voicings, has never recorded an uninspired record and this one is better than average for him. Due to the variety of moods, instrumental colors and settings, the music is continually interesting and well worth acquiring.

Musicians
Piano John Hicks
Saxophone Bobby Watson
Saxophone Vincent Herring
Flute Elise Wood
Bass Curtis Lundy
Drums Cecil Brooks III

Tracks
01 Faith 03:54
02 Piece For My Peace 04:50
03 Mood Swings 06:32
04 Diane 04:25
05 Mudd's Mode 05:25
06 Don't Let It Go 05:34
07 So In Love 06:47
08 I Should Care 06:04
09 My Shining Hour 09:00
10 Starcrossed Lovers 04:20