From the JVC collection, originally released in 1995, Ernie Watts is surrounded on "Unity" by some of the jazz world's finest players; Geri Allen, Eddie Gomez, Steve Swallow and Jack DeJohnette. These brilliant musicians really have the chance to stretch out on this recording. Watts pays tribute to the great writers of the jazz idiom with renditions of the Oscar Pettiford tune "Tricotism," Dave Brubeck's "In Your Own Sweet Way," Jules Styne's "You Say You Care," and the Mal Waldron classic "Soul Eyes." ln the words of Amiri Baraka, however, who contributes the liner notes, "He has managed to emerge as himself, playing his own hymns." These Watts originals include "Some Kind a Blue," the pensive "Lonely Hearts," and the positive energy rush that is "Joyous Reunion."