There is something warmly intimate about this record, bright as a button, with pep in its step, as two acclaimed jazz veterans interact with a kind of restrained joy
Ken Peplowski (clarinet & tenor sax) is American, Barnes (clarinet, bass clarinet) is British and this transatlantic partnership is also part of the charm of their outing which was recorded on on October 11, 2010, at the Watermill Jazz Club in Dorking.
The two gents are aided and abetted by John Pearce on piano, Dave Green on double bass and Steve Brown on drums, all of whom have enjoyed a long association with saxophonist, Scott Hamilton.
The record opens with two upbeat Horace Silver tunes, Tippin’ and Strollin', while a version of Junior Mance’s Jubilation is similarly pacy. However, the music takes a wistful diversion with Tom Jobim’s Luiza, truly one of his most beautiful compositions, all yearning, tempered by tenderness. There is another visit to Brazil for Luiz Bonfá’s Menina Flor, bossanova that is blissful and buoyant.
The guys slow down the pace again on Arthur Herzog’s Some Other Spring, a different kind of tune from Luiza, more the standard ballad, dealing in a different brand of regret. The pace picks up again for a companionable work-out of Juan Tizol’s Perdido. Highly recommended.
Paddy Kehoe
