Andy LaVerne
and
Dave Samuels
followed up their previous successful date for
Steeplechase
(
Fountainhead
) with this trio date by adding bassist
Jay Anderson
.
LaVerne
's
"Retrospect"
is an easygoing post-bop melody set to an implied samba beat, while his
"Between Earth & Mars"
is a spacious work with a touch of mystery.
Samuels
contributed the lovely ballad
"Tri-Tones,"
but what the trio has done with the standards on this CD is amazing. The old warhorse
"On Green Dolphin Street"
is brilliantly reharmonized,
Bill Evans
'
"Blue in Green"
(the same tune that
Miles Davis
took credit for writing) is rejuvenated with a repeated vamp and adventurous playing by all three musicians. Highly recommended, with the hope that a follow-up date is in the works! ~ Ken Dryden