Creative Arts Ensemble – “One Step Out ” – [Nimbus Records]

1981 uplifting large band..spirit jazz…
more celebratory than celestial…to each
their own arkestra. Dual pilots guide this
vessel, brother Kaeef Ruzadun…a pianist
and student of Horace Tapscott shares the
helm w/ his sister Shaleethia, who offers
well-enunciated annunciations to God. Her
praises dance some tricky phrasing, decked
out in her Sunday finest. Ruzadun’s piano
jumps from these sort of grand chordal
plateaus. SonShip Phaeus on drums is as
good in his solos as when just keeping the
tunes aloft. Busy bassist Henry Franklin
at times walked a little over me, but
stands tall on “All Praises Due.” -Thurston Hunger