by Scott YanowGeri Allen, a brilliant jazz pianist since the '80s, wrote all 11 pieces on this moody and atmospheric CD. Although not a major composer, her arrangements, and her use of colors overall, make the music quite haunting. The personnel varies from track to track and includes Allen, trumpeter Wallace Roney, trombonist Robin Eubanks, Dwight Andrews on bass clarinet, flutes and piccolo, guitarist Vernon Reid, Ralphe Armstrong and Buster Williams on basses, drummer Lenny White and percussionist Mino Cinelu. Allen, whose playing on this date sometimes is reminiscent of Herbie Hancock, always records music that grows in interest with each listen. [Gathering was also released with a bonus track.]