Okay, simply put, Time and Time Again is a great album.

That is not at all surprising considering the depth, experience and power of the members of the Cookers. To get the drift, it is absolutely essential to mention their illustrious names and a (very) few of their jazz credits.

The Cookers, all of whom are bandleaders in their own right, include the influential bassist Cecil McBee, 79 (trumpeter Miles Davis, saxophonists Pharoah Sanders and Wayne Shorter). On trumpet is Eddie Henderson, 74 (lessons from Louis Armstrong, pianist Herbie Hancock). Henderson also recorded with fellow Cooker, drum-master Billy Hart, 74 (trumpeter Miles Davis, pianist Herbie Hancock).

The group of post-bop era giants also boasts pianist George Cables, 69 (saxophonist Sonny Rollins and trumpeter Freddie Hubbard). On tenor is the forward-thinking Billy Harper, 71 (pianist Randy Weston, drummers Art Blakey, Elvin Jones and Max Roach). At 49, trumpeter David Weiss, who founded the Cookers, is the youngest member of the group. Time and Time Again stands as New Orleans’ own, alto saxophonist Donald Harrison, Jr.’s (54) first recording the band that has been together for seven years.

The length of time these remarkable musicians have been performing as the Cookers also makes a huge impact on the resulting product. It undoubtedly contributes to the clarity of their ensemble work and back-up support. Those elements allow the soloists to fly with confidence. And they do.

On the opener, Billy Harper fires the first shot with his self-penned “Sir Galahad.” Hart’s drums thunder as Harper’s expressive tenor offers a soulfully spiritual introduction. The tune then takes off with everyone pushing their rhythmic and creative limits.

It sets the tone of what’s to come with Harper, Hart, McBee and Cables all contributing material that offers great diversity to the album and challenges the players to deliver. They all eagerly accept the invitation of freedom and soar with it. With a rhythm section like this, why not?

The music, like the artists, featured on Time and Time Again represents both the past, the present and the future. It is timeless in its greatness.