The release of Hot Rize’s self-titled debut album in 1979 was a pivotal moment in modern bluegrass history. Taking their name from the “secret ingredient” in Martha White Self-Rising Flour, the Colorado-based quartet grabbed the spotlight with their cogently virtuosic musicianship and astute taste in material. On this first outing, Tim O’Brien’s sterling tenor tempers its plaintive edge with a wistful sweetness, accentuated by his agile mandolin work. Pete Wernick’s versatile banjo, Charles Sawtelle’s lean ‘n’ lively guitar playing, and Nick Forster’s supple bass are likewise impeccable when applied to both traditional and contemporary tunes. “Blue Night,” “High on a Mountain," and “Ninety Nine Years” sound both spirited and melancholy, while “Powwow the Indian Boy” ripples with vigorous interplay and “Old Dan Tucker” (featuring O’Brien on fiddle) invites even the casual listener to dance. Originals like the homespun romantic ditty “Nellie Kane” complement the old-time standards. The gospel numbers “Prayer Bells of Heaven” and “Standing in the Need of Prayer” give the band a chance to show off their polished vocal harmonies.