It's been a while since we've heard from Ware and his sinewy tenor saxophone, but from the evidence supplied by this disc, he hasn't been idle and has turned out a masterly opus in keeping with the earthy, richly sonorous style he is known for.

Right from the first cut, "Crossing Samsara" we get playing with conviction and substance in the reiterative, concise melodic motif that starts the piece, stated by sax and guitar in unison. The piece them launches into an inspired expansion of the melody, in solos that are vibrant and compelling. This is no safe, or genteel playing. Ware and guitarist Joe Morris both really dig in. After a restatement of the theme the quartet digs in some more in an extended coda.

The opening bass line and cymbal rhythms of "Nataraj" help launch the Quartet's most expansive piece of the set in a floating time-feel that creates an ecstatic, transporting effect that moves like a magic carpet. Morris's solo here is minimalist and thoughtful, as he coaxes meaningful lines from his guitar thankfully free of clich�s and empty riffing.

"Reflection" is an extended ballad, in which Ware's expressive gifts are given ample room, and drummer Warren Smith starts off "Namah" with a thumb piano and the piece, mostly percussive in nature, grows from there featuring the multi-timbral bowing of bassist William Parker. Nuances of space and silence share in the evolution of this moving composition that rings with the exotic overtones of eastern tonality and melodic concept.

"Antidromic" is characterized, like "Crossing Samsara", by a tenor/guitar unison, but in a statement of heterophony, then takes off, with Parker stoking the soloists with a rapid walking bass line that lasts and lasts.

The set's closer, "Shakti," is a three-part thematic piece ("Durga," "Devi," and "Kali") that highlights the spiritual themes of the music, with Ware's luxurious circular motifs, and the heightened sense of meaning that comes from conviction of the highest order, not unlike the playing of Coltrane and Pharaoh Sanders. We know we are in the presence of someone who draws his music from a very deep well.