Alvin Queen was recently referred to by a journalist as “jazz royalty,” and indeed, as the world continues to lose so many of the great jazz musicians, we look to those who are left that can really deliver the real deal. Drummer Alvin Queen is one such person, and this record swings like a you-know-what. Originally recorded in 1985 for Queen’s own Nilva label, this date – NEVER BEFORE ON CD- features the late great John Hicks, Terence Blanchard, Robin Eubanks, Manny Boyd and Ray Drummond.