By now it is common knowledge that DAVID NEWMAN was Ray Charles' tenore supremo for nearly 50 years, on and off. But David also played and recorded with Dizzy Gillespie, Aretha Franklin, Hank Crawford, Aaron Neville and Herbie Mann in addition to leading his own band which included Cedar Walton, Jimmy Cobb, Buster Williams and Louis Hayes. His latest HighNote release finds him leading a four-horn unit, reminiscent of the Ray Charles little big band sound. Filling out the front-line was Winston Byrd on trumpet/flugel, the bari sax of Howard Johnson and trombonist Benny Powell. Together they form a tight-knit ensemble that cooks through nine tunes in fine fettle. David here delivers perhaps his most ambitious project for HighNote and provides an auspicious start for the 2006 Jazz Year.

with Winston Byrd- flugelhorn & trumpet; Howard Johnson- baritone sax; Benny Powell- trombone; David Leonhardt- piano; John Menegon- bass; Yoron Israel- drums

Tracks: Suki Duki; Pharoahs Gold; A Flower is a Lovesome Thing; Bu Bop Bass; Here Comes Sonny Man; It Was a Very Good Year; Flankin; Sneakin In; Goldfinger.

 Goldfinger

 Pharoah's Gold

 Sneakin' In

 Suki Duki