ALBUM REVIEWS : **** LEW TABACKIN “Desert Lady” <i> Concord Jazz</i>

Tabackin, in his first domestic solo album in almost a decade, reaffirms his postion as a masterful tenor saxophonist and flutist (his warm, singing tone on each instrument is immediately identifiable), and as a musician with grand taste in repertoire. Here he goes with arcane Ellingtonia (the exotic “Pyramid,” a flute showcase, and the medium steamer, “Serenade to Sweden,” spotlighting some simmering tenor), jazz classics (a fleet romp on Tadd Dameron’s “Hot House”), standards that wear well (Jerome Kern’s “Yesterdays”) and originals (the title track, evoking images of camels and sand dunes). Pianist Hank Jones, bassist Dave Holland and drummer Victor Lewis fit hand-in-glove with the leader’s propulsive efforts, resulting in a modern-leaning mainstream set that’s musical from bar one.