Put out for the first time on this 1997 CD, the two happy dates on the release both match veteran pianist
Alton Purnell
(who takes occasional vocals) with British clarinetist
John Defferary
(they're sometimes joined by bassist
Brian Turnock
and drummer
Barry Martyn
). The first eight numbers are a blues and a variety of swing and traditional standards including
"Sweet Georgia Brown,"
"It's Only a Paper Moon" and "Rose Room." The final four selections (which include a surprisingly effective rendition of "Mr. Sandman" and "On Treasure Island") team up
Purnell
,
Defferary
and
Martyn
with Japanese trumpeter
Yoshio Toyama
and banjoist
Keiko Toyaman
but no bass. In both cases the combination works. Although
(best-known for his long association with
George Lewis
) gets top billing, the main star is the swing-based clarinetist
, who makes one wonder why he is not better-known. Recommended. ~ Scott Yanow