"The title sets the mood and Eric Allison's music lives up to the Erskine Hawkins '40's hit. …a swinging style…Allison's alto is searing…" - Patricia Myers, Jazz Times

"…Allison has written nine originals in the…smoky, late-night, finger-snapping, dirty-dancing, swinging vein. His talent lies in getting a sensual, seductive timbre out of his horn and in creating on disc the kind of nightclub atmosphere musicians and audiences long to share. Such pleasures should not be underestimated." - Geoffrey Himes, Washington Post

Ranked #1 by Music Choice, Digital Cable Radio

Reached #20; on the Gavin Report (Jazz Format) for 13 weeks

Reached #40 on the Jazziz RadioActive Report

"…After Hours steams with the bacchanalian air of the pleasure seeker." - Larry Getlen, New Times

"…over-brimming joy in performing. You can hear it in the music, as downright happiness seeps through without restraint or containment." - Bill Donaldson, Jazz News

"Allison is shrewd and articulate on every axe…well worth the price of admission." - Jack Bowers, Jazz News

"On Mean Streets Beat, [Allison] displays his breadth, delivering a variety of flavorful sounds-from funky, swinging jazz to lyrical melodies that stay with you long after the album's over-on an array of instruments: tenor and alto saxophones, as well as clarinet and flute. The range of Allison's musical experiences and stylistic diversity shines on Mean Streets Beat…ten originals designed to please the ears of those who enjoy vibrant, rhythmically dynamic jazz." Zan Stewart, Contributor: Los Angeles Times, Swing Journal

"This is a fun recording that succeeds as both a good-time party record and as a set well worth several close listens. …it takes a lot of living to come up with so much good material. In any case, this highly enjoyable set was worth the wait." - Scott Yanow, Jazziz

"…sensitivity matched by versatility…[Allison] plays with the chops and style appropriate for the mood of the music, from bebop to doo-wop and straightahead swing to kudzu-covered deep south blues, true to his spirit." - Bill Donaldson, Jazz News

"…a badass funky 10-song set of Allison originals, guesting an all-star lineup of south Florida jazz talent… - Bob Weinberg, XSmagazine

"While stylistically diverse, the connecting thread in Mean Streets Beat is a joyful, sturdy sense of swing. …sheer hard-swinging pleasure." - Fernando Gonzalez, Miami Herald

"Allison speaks in many voices, from a swaggering uptown shout to a sweet whisper to stand-up gospel. But the variety works." - Matt Schudel, Sun-Sentinel

"Mean Streets Beat is a fun-filled romp through traditional and New Orleans-style groove jazz…" - Bill Meredith, XSmagazine

"…consummate musicianship… Allison absorbs colors like a chameleon, has an impressive command of the instruments, knows how to respond to and please an audience, and offers a fluency of the jazz idiom that deserves recognition beyond south Florida." - Bill Donaldson, Jazz News

"Though separated by thirty years in age, one would never suspect this fact on hearing [Allison and Keller] play, so closely attuned are their stylistic conceptions and musical standards." Jack Sohmer, Contributor: Downbeat, Jazz Times, Cadence

This CD was recorded live at a concert presented by pianist-composer Dave Burns, at the Tennessee Williams Theatre in Key West, Florida. The show featured a program consisting exclusively of songs written by Burns. A well-known musician in the South Florida area for some thirty-five years, Burns is less recognized as a composer although if asked, he will tell you that he thinks this is his real strong suit. Saxophonist Eric Allison was chosen for and was obviously up to the task of interpreting Burns' tunes.

"My thanks to the amazing Eric Allison for learning and then absolutely nailing my songs. When you hear him play them you'll be hearing exactly how I wanted them to sound." - Dave Burns