As so often in its history, Criss Cross certainly spots talented relative newcomers with something different to say. Meet Brooklyn-born, but San Francisco-raised, tenorman Stephens. From Berklee, he went on to the Monk Institute (then LA-based) and his teachers included Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, John Scofield and Terence Blanchard. His early influences included Pres, Ben Webster, Charlie Rouse, Rollins and Joe Lovano and his soft, warm sound reflects some of them, with Shorter perhaps the most relevant, but his style is very contemporary. For his label debut, he chose musicians that had never played together before, but who have come up with a remarkably cohesive feel. Trumpeter Rodriguez only plays on two cuts, but particularly impresses with his flugel solo on Joe Henderson's ‘Black Narcissus’. Aaron Parks (an ex-Blanchard pianist) is strongly featured throughout, and contributes the only two non-Stephens originals, both highly experimental, with one (‘Cartoon Element’, an anagram of Ornette Coleman) especially innovative. Lage, from Gary Burton's group, is yet another excellent new guitarist who doesn't sound like anyone else. Kitagawa is a tower of strength and Edwards, currently more and more a first-call drummer, is soulful throughout. But Stephens is the one to watch as a composer and saxophonist. If he succeeds in obtaining a new kidney (he's on dialysis treatment, which entails regular visits from New Jersey to Manhattan), he could become a very important player.