"This debut from Pittsburgh native Leon Lee Dorsey features the bassist with an excellent all-star cast—drummer Cecil Brooks, III, tenor saxophonist Don Braden, pianist Lafayette Harris and alto saxophonist Vincent Herring. Dorset's rich, resonant tone and mature harmonic approach are evident as a soloist and in the rhythm section. His compositions are in the neo-bop tradition, as evidenced by the surging 4/4 tempos of the title tune, "Miles," "In Remembrance," "New Testament," "River of Fire" and the Monkish, second-line blues, "Centre Ave. Shuffle." Dorsey's ballad, "I Am With You" recalls the mood of Wayne Shorter's mid-'60s offerings. "Brooks, Harris and Dorsey's trio treatments of Irving Berlin's bouncy "Cheek To Cheek," Juan Tizol's Afro-Latin "Caravan" and Erroll Garner's evergreen "Misty," show off the bassist's fluent, economical solos. Dorsey's take on Ron Carter's "United" reveals the influence of Carter's unmistakable style on Dorsey's musical conception, which, if this recording is an indication, will surely grow."

JazzTimes Review

"Despite his youth, bassist Leon Lee Dorsey has already ascended most of the peaks available to top-drawer sidemen, including stints with Art Blakey, Don Byron, Benny Carter, Cassandra Wilson, and Frank Sinatra. On The Watcher, he demonstrates that his skills as a composer and bandleader are just as formidable. The majority of the compositions are originals, and, although Dorsey doesn't stray far from the traditional head-plus-solos format he always manages to include at least one off-kilter touch. On "Miles," for example, Don Braden's tenor shares the theme with Vincent Herring's alto, creating a melodic tug-of-war "New Testament" opens with a serpentine statement from the horns in which even the trills are rightly synchronized, then drops into a driving walk. Dorsey seldom steps out for a solo, but his resonant bass unifies the whole session, and, to judge from his work on "Caravan," this guy is one mean arco player."

Jazziz Review

"Just the facts. Bassist Leon Lee Dorsey wrote seven of the eleven songs on this recording. The lineup includes: Vincent Herring (alto & soprano saxophones), Don Braden (tenor saxophone), Lafayette Harris (piano), Cecil Brooks (drums). With those limited facts, jazz buyers will pick up this recording just for the two power saxes of Herring and Braden. Both have received nothing but stunning press lately. They can cook, especially coupled with drummer Cecil Brooks. Dorsey a Pittsburgh native (let's hear it for Midwest jazz) has his licks down. This is take no prisoners jazz. His compositions and arrangements are tight, solid bebop tunes. This is high energy stuff, sure to please."

SOS Jazz Review

"It is not until "Misty" that Dorsey discloses how he can take an old standard and make it speak anew, make it buzz with fresh authority. Except for a vocal-like treatment here and there, the melody is given a conventional reading. That is, conventional by Dorsey's requirements, which means a luscious mix of jazz and classical overtones. His timing is impeccable, and this is complemented by a strong, throbbing attention to the tune's well-known harmonic structure. The jazz community is familiar with Dorsey's ability to fill in the background with all the basics of the bass, but he shows, too, that when he steps up front he wields a mighty fine pen. (4 Stars)" "This is an intriguing debut as a leader for bassist Leon Lee Dorsey. Dorsey, who has played with everyone from Benny Carter and Freddie Hubbard to Oliver Lake and Don Pullen, has really put together two CDs in one. The first seven selections are his originals and the first six are quite modern. His quintet finds altoist Vincent Herring (who doubles on soprano) displaying his strong growth of the past few years. No longer too-close-for-comfort to the sound of Cannonball Adderley, Herring is consistently inspired while the, hard-toned tenor saxophonist Don Braden makes for a contrasting foil with pianist Lafayette Harris Jr. and drummer Cecil Brooks completing the group. While "Miles," which has plenty of simultaneous fiery improvising by the two saxes, does not really remind one of Miles Davis' music, it is quite memorable as is the haunting ballad "I Am With You Always" which has Herring's soprano as the lead voice. "The second half of the program (a blues "Centre Avenue Shuffle," three standards and Ron Carter's "United") are more straight ahead and give the principals an opportunity to really swing hard within an older format Dorsey, who only takes a couple of long solos (most notably on "Misty"), is generous in allocating the spotlight, but is clearly responsible for this colorful session's success. An impressive effort."

Scott Yanow, LA Jazz Scene

"For his debut recording as a leader, bassist Leon Lee Dorsey not only fully demonstrates his amazing prowess as an accompanist, but showcases his skills as a composer. Seven of the II compositions are his, and none more captivating than the title tune. Like their efforts throughout the date, alto and soprano saxophonist Vincent Herring and tenor saxist Don Braden are a lethal combination on this opening number, letting their fury hang all the way out. The piece bristles, and Dorsey nestles his concise and quick picking deftly between pianist Lafayette Harris Jr.'s splashing chords and drummer Cecil Brook's hurtling pace."Despite the swift burn of "The Watcher," most of Dorsey's originals have a contemplative, almost devotional edge to them. Moreover, there are several oblique nods to Wayne Shorter on "Miles" and to Charlie Mingus' episodic forms on "River Of The Fire." And that Dorsey is not ashamed of being a romantic is beautifully etched on "I Am With You Always," although the hymnal mood may suggest the chapel as much as it does a love song."

Downbeat Review