Since his early 90s stint with Bobby Watson’s Horizon, Terell Stafford has developed a solid career as a trumpeter, composer, and bandleader. Also, as an educator he directs the highly regarded jazz studies program at Temple University. For his ninth recording as a leader, he is joined by his frequent frontline partner, saxophonist Tim Warfield, plus pianist Bruce Barth, bassist David Wong, drummer Johnathan Blake, and percussionist Alex Acuna on four originals (three by Stafford), four jazz classics, and a gospel hymn. Two of the jazz classics are the standouts of this recording. The title track, written by former Horizon bandmate Victor Lewis, gets the album off to a burning start, complete with fiery solos by Stafford and Warfield, both of whom are fueled by Blake’s dynamic drumming. Horace Silver’s “Room 608” is played in 7/4 time, which makes it fresh. Acuna guests on three tracks, and his percussion gives a Latin touch to the gospel hymn “Great Is Thy Faithfulness.” Stafford displays his ballad artistry with McCoy Tyner’s “You Taught My Heart to Sing” and closes the CD with “Wruth’s Blues,” a rousing piece he wrote for his mother. This is an important document by a musician at the top of his game.