Pianist Hugh Lawson was 42 when he had his first opportunity to record as a leader. One of the many great pianists who emigrated from Detroit, Lawson spent most of his career overshadowed, but he was an excellent hard bop-based player. Teamed with bassist Bob Cranshaw (heard on acoustic for a change) and drummer Ben Riley, Lawson performs two originals, a few obscurities, Clifford Jordan's "The Highest Mountain," Charles Mingus' "Duke Ellington's Sound of Love," "I Fall In Love Too Easily" and a brief rendition of Bud Powell's "I'll Keep Loving You." A fine straight-ahead effort.