True or False

by Scott YanowAfter decades of rarely leading any sessions, drummer Roy Haynes in the 1980s and '90s finally received chances to make his own records. This 1986 Paris performance, not released domestically until Evidence put this CD in 1997, finds Haynes inspiring tenorman Ralph Moore (Trane-ish but sounding fairly original), pianist David Kikoski and bassist Ed Howard to some high-quality straight-ahead playing. The nine selections are consistently rewarding, with highlights including an uptempo "Limehouse Blues," Charlie Parker's "Big Foot," Chick Corea's "Bud Powell," Thelonious Monk's "Played Twice" and Sonny Rollins' exuberant "The Everywhere Calypso." Easily recommended to hard bop collectors.