The legendary vibraphonist's 1993 album includes six tracks with strings, two with a big band sound, and four with an intimate quartet, but the core rhythm section of pianist Cedar Walton, bassist John Clayton, and drummer Billy Higgins backs Milt Jackson on every tune. Like his sensitive work with the Modern Jazz Quartet, Jackson's performance is lyrical and round-toned. John Clayton arranged the horns on his own composition "Reverence" and on Walton's composition "Newest Blues," and it's interesting to find the leader Jackson employed as an extra horn member on those tracks. Some vibraphone players attain a percussive sound, and bebop lends itself to that end; Jackson, however, performs as if he were the vocalist in front of a band. On this session, the leader is interpreting the lyrics of Lorenz Hart and Marilyn & Alan Bergman on tunes such as "Here's That Rainy Day," "It Never Entered My Mind," "How Do You Keep The Music Playing," and "Little Girl Blue," but through his vibes. The other instrument most closely related to the vibraphone, of course, is the piano. Here, it's at once obvious that the vibraphone player is able to move more rapidly, and few are as expert on the instrument as Milt Jackson.

"Bullet Bag" is the best opportunity to appreciate the core rhythm section. On it, Higgins raps out "bullets" and carries on with his trademark shimmering cymbal backdrop; his drum solo is a virtual clinic for those wishing to know more about what can be done with the drum set. Walton's spirited piano solo is filled with familiar musical quotes. Clayton's recognizable bass performances and his familiar arranging permeate the session; Jackson's composition "J.C." is the bassist's feature. Containing a half dozen tracks with strings, two with horns, and four more with the quartet, Reverence And Compassion is nevertheless an album to spotlight the lyricism of veteran Milt Jackson.