by Scott YanowIn 1961 Herbie Mann recorded an album (Nirvana) with the Bill Evans Trio and the experience made a major impression on the flutist. In his first purely straightahead jazz date in many years, Mann pays tribute to Evans by performing eight of his compositions plus one song ("Blue in Green") that the pianist long claimed Miles Davis permanently "borrowed" from him. On some selections Mann overdubbed his flutes to form an orchestral sound behind his solos and a few numbers have lyrical solos from Randy Brecker on flugelhorn. Otherwise this is essentially a pianoless quartet session (with guitarist Bruce Dunlap and occasional percussion) that finds Mann really digging into the often-complex material. The late Bill Evans, whose influence as a pianist (particularly in his chord voicings) continues to grow each year, has never been thought of as a major composer but perhaps it is time for a reassessment. This is a highly recommended outing with the highlights including "Funkallero," "Turn Out the Stars," "Waltz for Debbie" and "Peace Piece."