A wonderfully sparse and subtle offering from guitarist Philip Catherine, featuring Tom Harrellon flügelhorn and Hein Van de Geynon bass. This drumless trio pays memorial tribute to Chet Baker with a tranquil, melancholy set of standards and originals, beginning with Miles Davis’"Nardis" and continuing with an extended Catherine original titled "Twice a Week." The set also includes a swinging "I Remember You," a mid-tempo "My Funny Valentine," and a nod to hard bop with HankMobley’s "Funk in Deepfreeze."Harrellcontributes two originals, "From This Time, From That Time" and "Songflower," while Van de Geyn weighs in with a dark waltz, "Soul Role." Catherine closes the album with his own angular, altered "Blues for G.T."Catherine’s bright, twangy sound and tasteful use of vibrato, harmonics, octave leaps, and volume and chorus effects distinguish him from many other straight-ahead jazz guitarists. Van de Geyn proves himself to be not only an excellent timekeeper, but also a conversational ensemble player. And this stripped-down setting especially flatters the velvety, lyrical brilliance of Tom Harrell. - David R. Adler
Tracks
1. Nardis (Miles Davis)
2. Twice A Week (Philip Catherine)
3. I Remember You (Johnny Mercer/Victor Schertzinger)
4. Soul Role (Hein Ven de Geyn)
5. From This Time, From That Time (Tom Harrell)
6. Songflower (Tom Harrell)
7. Funk In Deep Freeze (Hanl Mobley)
8. My Funny Valentine (Lorenz Hart/Richard Rodgers)
9. Blues For G.T. (Philip Catherine)
TOM HARRELL flugelhorn
PHILIP CATHERINE guitar
HEIN VEN DE GEYN bass
Recorded October 19, 1990 at Studio 44, Monster
Criss Cross Jazz – Criss 1048 CD