So I just re-listened to this album for the first time since getting the promo ages ago. I realize now that I hung onto it primarily because of Bob Belden's involvement, but I'd forgotten that he was part of the album when I posted about it in March.
Anyway, I thought it was a pleasant "with strings" album, the kind of thing I like to have on in the background while I'm working. Belden's arrangements seemed nice but they didn't particularly grab me. And yes, I picked up on the Pepper Adams thing.
Overall, worth keeping.