WALLACE RONEY has definitely escaped from the shadow of his idol Miles Davis. The Miles influence is still there, along with the profound influence of Art Blakey and Tony Williams and a host of other jazz visionaries but he is able to organically assimilate all of his influences into his own personal vision. Here, once again as in "Prototype" (HCD 7116), Wallace and company collectively break down the electric/acoustic divide while utilizing the past to move forward. Returning to the tightly-knit unit are Geri Allen on acoustic and electric piano and keyboard and brother Antoine Roney on reeds, along with Adam Holzman on synthesizers and Eric Allen on drums. Val Jeanty replaces DJ Logic on turntables this time out and former Weather Report percussionist Bobby Thomas Jr. also contributes here. They turn in fresh interpretations of Wayne Shorter's "Atlantis", Kenny Dorham's loping swinger "Poetic Spring", Slick Rick's reggaefied "Hey Young World" and a hauntingly beautiful take on The Temptations' "Just My Imagination".

With Geri Allen, Adam Holzman- pianos/keyboards; Antoine Roney- reeds; Matt Garrison- bass; Eric Allen- drums; DJ Val Jeanty- turntables; Bobby Thomas Jr.- percussion.

Tracks: Just my Imagination; Atlantis; Hey Young World; Poetic Spring; Baby's Breath; It's Yo Thing; Mystikal; I'll Keep Loving You.

 Mystikal

 Poetic

 Baby's Breath

 Just My Imagination

 I'll Keep Loving You