There’s a spiritual quality that permeates the music of Charles Lloyd.
Rich layers of depth coupled with emotional integrity performed with sublime
intensity, finesse and presence.

The recording opens with an astounding interpretation of “Ne Me Quitte
Pas,” a 13-and-a-half-minute opus that will haunt the listener forever.
Perhaps Lloyd meant it as a long goodbye kiss to Nina Simone, whose interpretation
of the Jacques Brel composition was considered definitive. Amazing and incredibly
moving.

Once again, Lloyd is backed by a sterling group of intuitive players including
the gifted pianist Geri Allen, bassist Robert Hurst and one of the finest jazz
drummers on the scene today, Eric Harland. Lloyd branches out here, switching
from tenor to alto saxophone and taragato at times. Also, there’s interesting
interludes pairing Lloyd with each of his band members offering many shades
to his jazz visions. There is so much soul in his playing! In an era with a
plethora
of one dimensional performers Lloyd remains a multi-faceted musician with the
mojo wisdom of the village bard coupled with the grace of a panther.