Guitarist Anthony Wilson is a particularly talented arranger-composer. He is usually heard with larger groups, so this trio outing gives listeners a rare opportunity to hear him stretch out as an improviser. The music mostly falls between hard bop and soul-jazz and tends to be laid-back and relaxed, even the rapid rendition of "All the Things You Are." The fine Los Angeles organist Joe Bagg works well with Wilson, while drummer Mark Ferber adds subtlety and swing. But the guitarist, who contributed four of the eight selections, is the main star and his soft tone and quietly inventive ideas make this set worth listening to closely. - Scott Yanow
Tracks
1. Fleur d'Ennui (Django Reinhardt)
2. All The Things You Are (Hammerstein/Kern)
3. The Other Shore (Anthony Wilson)
4. Jackson (Anthony Wilson)
5. You're The Top (Cole Porter)
6. Savivity (Anthony Wilson)
7. Sea Blues (Anthony Wilson)
8. Child Is Born (Thad Jones)
ANTHONY WILSON guitar
JOE BAGG organ
MARK FERBER drums
Recorded at Cello Studios, Hollywood, CA
Groove Note Records GRV1030-2
www.groovenote.com