Donald Brown - Early Bird (1988)

Pianist Donald Brown, who has been often overshadowed by his contemporaries, is a talented modern mainstream pianist with a sound of his own. This CD, his debut as a leader, features Brown in a sextet that also stars altoist Donald Harrison (quite exploratory), trumpeter Bill Mobley, vibraphonist Steve Nelson and Wynton Marsalis's rhythm section of the time (bassist Bob Hurst and drummer Jeff "Tain" Watts). Together they perform six of Brown's diverse and generally colorful originals, plus "Speak Low" and the pianist's solo showcase "If You Could See Me Now." It's an impressive and enjoyable outing.