Trumpeter John Swana leads his Philly Gumbo session under the name "John Swana and the Philadelphians," a knowing reference to a 1958 album by Benny Golson. Fittingly, the record showcases a number of excellent straight-ahead players who aren't widely known outside of Philadelphia: tenor saxophonist Bootsie Barnes, pianist Sid Simmons, bassist Mike Boone, and drummer Byron Landham. The mostly original music is solidly within the hard bop tradition. Boone contributes a fine piece called "Old Head" and collaborates with Swana on the ballad "John Wayne," which is named for John Coltrane and Wayne Shorter. Other highlights include the medium-fast "Up Jumped Bootsie" (loosely based on Freddie Hubbard's "Up Jumped Spring") and the rubato finale, "Tot Ziens," an out-of-character trio feature for the leader on fl�gelhorn. Swana's frontline rapport with Barnes is exceptional, and his horn is consistently spry and insightful. ~ David R. Adler