Two American trumpeters – both of whom hit some of their best work ever in European recordings like this! The album's a perfect showcase for both Benny Bailey and Idrees Sulieman – and really rivals any of their American sessions for range of imagination, depth of soul, and unbridled expression! Benny Bailey is up first – really soaring on two different sessions with the Jazz Live Trio of pianist Klaus Koenig – one from 1970, and the other from 1983 – with Benny sounding completely mindblowing on the long original "Sanza", then reminding us how he can really transform a tune on versions of "Summertime" and "Stella By Starlight". Sulieman's an equally great pleasure here – again on one 70s recording, and another from the early 80s – both with Jazz Live Trio – on titles that include "Wee", "Misty", "I Can't Get Started", and "Now's The Time". ~ Dusty Groove
Great American soloists – presented here in rare European work from the late 60s! The album has each individual player delivering a small set with the Jazz Live Trio – a combo led by pianist Klaus Koenig, with a great ear for shifting modes to bring out the best in a strong-voiced guest soloist. Phil Wood's performance is definitely proof of that – worth the price of admission alone, as Phil snakes out beautifully on long, soulful alto lines that rival any of his other work of the time – on the tracks "Freedom Jazz Dance" and "I Remember Bird". Leo Wright is wonderful too – kicking into high gear on alto and flute, really showing off his association with Dizzy on "Groovin High", then sliding into a soulful style on "The Shadow Of Your Smile". The set also features Stuff Smith sliding nicely on "C Jam Blues" and "How High The Moon" – plus Eddie Daniels, back when he still had a bite, on "Some Day My Prince Will Come". ~ Dusty Groove
Two British jazz giants, three different recordings, all of them wonderful! The set's a perfect showcase for both the trumpet of Kenny Wheeler and tenor of Alan Skidmore – as the recordings, done with the Jazz Live Trio of pianist Klaus Koenig, offer plenty of space for each soloist to stretch out and really do their thing – most importantly in the sort of straighter jazz setting that wasn't always recorded at this point in each player's career. Wheeler begins the album on long takes of "Come Sunday" and "A Simple Toon" – then Skidmore really smokes on "Would Jubilee Vit" and "K & A Blues" – and the last tracks feature work by both soloists together, on "Ruby Doo" and "Red Daffodil". ~ Dusty Groove
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