Herlin Riley
Cream of the Crescent
Criss Cross Jazz

Drummer Riley steps out on his own, after drumming in the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra for the past ten years, with his second album as a leader. Drawing on the talents of his bandmates from his other high-profile gig - Wynton Marsalis' band, Wynton included - Riley presents eight originals, plus one written by reed player Victor Goines. These perfect performances have a good variety of rhythmic approaches to them, from the funky "Trouble in Treme" to the touchingly somber "To Those We Love So Dearly," the Latin groove of "Dancing with Desire," and "Trombone Joe," a tune most evocative of the great Crescent City. -- Michael Fortes