*** Joe Chambers

MIRRORS

(Blue Note)

Back in the '60s, Art Blakey was the only drummer who appeared on more Blue Note records than Chambers, though Tony Williams and Elvin Jones attracted more attention. Chambers was never as flashy as his peers: his flawless timekeeping wedded economy, power, and taste in equal measure, and he drove a band without calling undue attention to himself.

His return to the label after nearly 30 years is a quintet session in the classic Blue Note mode. Chambers wrote seven of the nine tunes, which cover a spectrum of moods and styles, from the New Orleans funk of "Tu-Way-Pock-E-Way" to the Middle Eastern-flavored "Caravanserai" to the burning up-tempo swinger "Mariposa." His line-up is as solid as they come, with the vastly underrated Eddie Henderson on trumpet and Vincent Herring on saxophones in front, and pianist Mulgrew Miller and bassist Ira Coleman joining him in the rhythm section. Henderson's soaring solo on "Caravanserai," Herring's alto ballad feature "Ruth" and lovely soprano work on Janet Jackson's "Come Back to Me," and Miller's trio feature "Ruthless" are standouts among the individual contributions.

-- Ed Hazell