Drummer Ray Marchica is a New York pro with a wide-ranging high-level CV, but this project allows him to focus on his own favourite groove, a surging, funky jazz that is entirely familiar in terms of idioms, but is delivered with passion and commitment. He is not the first jazzman to draw on boxing metaphors, but the music the quartet delivers is certainly punchy enough. Marchica is well up in the mix, and drives the band in fine sytle, abetted by the ever-alert Lonnie Plaxico on bass. Rodney Jones contributes a couple of tunes as well as his customary grooving guitar work, and while Teodross Avery has never fulfilled the unrealistice 'next big thing' expectations heaped on him during the grenxy of the young lions era a decade ago, he is an inventive and resourceful saxophonsist, and shines in this setting. A strong, solid session from some hardcore pros playing music — new and old — that they love.

— Kenny Mathieson
© Jazzwise August 2005