Although best known for playing bluesy soul-jazz,
Junior Mance has always been a superior bop and hard bop pianist, too. On this 1997 set, he teams up with a pair of Canadians (bassist
Don Thompson and drummer Archie Alleyne) to explore seven jazz standards, only two of which ("Work Song" and "Walkin'") are blues-oriented. These live performances feature
Mance in particularly creative form and interacting closely with his sidemen. Their lengthy renditions of "Work Song," "Body and Soul" (which is over 12 and a half minutes long), and "Lester Leaps In" are especially rewarding. Recommended. ~ Scott Yanow