These 1993 recordings (released on a 1997 CD) are an excellent showcase for trumpeter
Kenny Wheeler. Six of the eight compositions are his (all but drummer
Pat Labarbera's "Kind of Bill" and the closing standard "Summer Night");
Wheeler's mostly mellow-toned trumpet matches very well with the lyrical piano of
John Taylor (who has worked with
Wheeler on and off for 20 years), bassist
Furio Di Castri and
Labarbera.
Wheeler can sound so peaceful and wistful that it is always a surprise when he displays his wide range and hits some impressive high notes, as he does in spots throughout the set. His originals are complex yet friendly, unpredictable but logical, always seeming to develop gradually until their conclusion. He is also very democratic in allocating solo space. Well worth picking up. ~ Scott Yanow