California-born alto saxophonist Blythe put together a killer band for his Columbia Records debut: James Newton on flute, James “Blood” Ulmer on guitar, Bob Stewart on tuba, Cecil McBee on bass, Jack DeJohnette on drums, and Guilherme Franco on percussion. The opening “Down San Diego Way” is a pulsing, jumpy, almost Latin number; the title track is a fierce New York streetscape. Blythe’s alto sound is massive throughout, and the flute and tuba play off each other beautifully.

– Phil Freeman