ReviewsDown Beat (4/96, p.82) - "What a workout this young tenor player gives his horn, his band, his listeners! Alexander evinces strong ideas played in a stern, lean, never glib style and shows a sound, unslavish sense of bop tradition chorus after chorus....Alexander's band is killer....a totally honest smoker."
Additional informationEric Alexander Sextet: Eric Alexander (tenor saxophone); John Swana (trumpet); Kenny Barron (piano); Peter Bernstein (guitar); Peter Washington (bass); Carl Allen (drums). Recorded at RPM Studio, New York, New York on January 3, 1994. Includes liner notes by Bob Bernotas. Personnel: Eric Alexander (tenor saxophone); Peter Bernstein (guitar); John Swana (trumpet); Kenny Barron (piano); Carl Allen (drums). Recording information: RPM Studio, New York, NY (01/03/1994). Photographer: Frans Schellekens. Eric Alexander is a very consistent tenor saxophonist, one who swings hard even if the chord changes are a bit complex. His tone is appealing and, like one of his influences, Dexter Gordon, he rarely seems to run out of ideas. For this sextet date with trumpeter John Swana, guitarist Peter Bernstein, pianist Kenny Barron, bassist Peter Washington, and drummer Carl Allen, Alexander contributed three very different originals and interprets a trio of standards plus Ahmad Jamal's "Night Mist Blues" and Cecil McBee's "Song of Her." Whether it be romps or sensitive ballads, Eric Alexander is in excellent form throughout this rewarding disc. ~ Scott Yanow