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Charles Tolliver returned to recording activity after a lengthy sabbatical with the acclaimed 2006 Blue Note album ‘With Love’. His live performances enthralled fans who were already familiar with his Strata East output (far less well known was his mid-1960s sojourn with the Gerald Wilson big band) and his latest album is in a live setting at the prestigious Blue Note club in New York from last summer. Tolliver’s big band features a rotating line-up and some of the ‘With Love’ members have been been replaced. The excellent Anthony Wonsey steps in for Robert Glasper on piano, Reggie Workman for Cecil McBee on bass and Gene Jackson for Victor Lewis on drums. Tolliver spent his formative years with Jackie McLean on Blue Note and one of these albums was ‘Jacknife’ which showcased a superb Tolliver composition, ‘On the Nile’. This number is revisited as the opening piece on ‘Emperor March’ and the modal magic of the original is retained on this lengthy composition which weighs in at thirteen and a half minutes, and is an undoubted album highlight. It is the album title track, inspired by a well known documentary on penguins, that impresses equally with it’s lilting, waltz like quality and a beautifully constructed reed section comprising flute and brass. Excellent ensemble work permeates the bright and breezy piece ‘Toughin’ while ‘Chedlike’ is a composition devoted to Tolliver’s son and features both flute and muted trumpet. Melodic is the only way to describe the ballad ‘I want to talk about you’ which rounds off proceedings. Informative sleeve notes courtesy of Blue Note expert and all-round jazz aficionado Michael Cuscuna round off a truly exceptional live recording. Half Note are making a virute out of this setting and the present recording stands favourable comparison with last year’s McCoy Tyner album.  Tim Stenhouse