by Scott YanowThis Concord release is most notable for featuring the obscure but talented violinist Joe Kennedy, who spent the bulk of his career teaching music in the Richmond, VA area. Teamed with pianist Billy Taylor, bassist Victor Gaskin and drummer Keith Copeland, Kennedy is the lead voice on many of the eight straightahead Taylor originals and he plays at the peak of his powers; it is a real pity that he did not record more during his career.