Altoist Kenny Garrett, who became well known when he was with Miles Davis'group, has, during the past decade, mostly released intense recordings inspiredby John Coltrane. However Happy People is something different.

The program begins with the light "Song for DiFang," an accessibleand soulful piece that lets one know that this will not be one of Garrett'smore esoteric sets. "Ain't Nothing But the Blues" is a bluishvamp, one of several tunes on which Garrett switches to soprano. Trumpeter Michael"Patches" Stewart helps out on two pieces, vibraphonist Bobby Hutchersonis on four and vocalist Jean Norris effectively blends into the ensembles on"Happy People" and "Song #8." Pianist Vernell Brown is excellentthroughout, sometimes in a McCoy Tyner vein and at other times displaying hisown musical personality.

However none of the performances are throwaways or overly predictable, and,as the CD advances, it gradually becomes more adventurous. It starts to openup during the fifth song ("Song #8") when, after the opening, thesong unexpectedly becomes an uptempo romp using chord changes similar to thebop showpiece "Cherokee." "Halima's Story" has a rhythmicfeel a little like "A Night in Tunisia," "Monk-Ing Around"is a bit like a Thelonious Monk piece, and the powerful "Brother B. Harper"pays tribute to tenor-saxophonist Billy Harper in a piece not far from somethingColtrane would have recorded. The three-part "Asian Medley" (a soprano-pianoduet) is an additional highlight, a thoughtful and lyrical performance.

Kenny Garrett keeps one guessing throughout Happy People. Highly recommended.