Best known as
Fats Waller's guitarist in the 1930s,
Al Casey has played for many decades since that time. On this reissue CD,
Casey had his first opportunity to lead his own record date in 13 years. Seven performances (including a previously unreleased number and two new alternate takes) match
Casey in a quartet with pianist
Jay McShann, bassist Roland Lobligeois, and drummer Paul Gunther; "Rosetta" and two versions of "I'm Beginning to See the Light" are most memorable. The other three numbers (which include "Just You, Just Me" and "I Wish I Knew") have
Casey, tenor saxophonist
Arnett Cobb, pianist
Milt Buckner, Lobligeois, and drummer Michael Silva joined by the tap dancing of Jimmy Slide. All in all, this set does jump a lot and is a fine example of 1940s-style small group swing that looks toward early R&B. ~ Scott Yanow