A superior straight-ahead guitarist who can swing as hard as anyone,
Roni Ben-Hur alternates jazz standards with some unusual material on
Keepin' It Open, his fifth CD as a leader. Heading a sextet that also features fine solos from trumpeter
Jeremy Pelt and pianist
Ronnie Mathews,
Ben-Hur explores an Israeli folk song ("Eshkolit"), the Spanish piece "Andaluza," "Recado Bossa Nova," and two of his originals in addition to three well-known pieces,
Elmo Hope's "One Second Please" and
Thelonious Monk's "Think of One." Everything works well and there is not a slow moment throughout this enjoyable outing. Recommended. ~ Scott Yanow