Shaw recorded a series of outstanding hard bop albums with American musicians but there is less available of him performing with Europeans. This album is, therefore, a welcome addition to his discography.
Tone Jansa, a strong tenor saxophonist who also doubles on both soprano sax and flute, shares the front line with
Shaw, and the two horns perform six compositions by
Jansa backed by
Jansa's swinging rhythm section.
Shaw seems perfectly comfortable with the tunes, which range from sizzlers to ballads.
Jansa and
Shaw fit together well, and
Shaw appears inspired by the interaction. Drummer
Dragan Gajic kicks hard throughout while pianist
Renato Chicco and bassist
Peter Herbert play with strong feeling. The results are strikingly enjoyable, and all in all this should please admirers of the trumpeter. ~ Steven Loewy