The liner notes might be in German and the musicians are all Europeans, but the music on this CD will easily communicate to American trad jazz fans. Veteran trumpeter
Oscar Klein (who also plays a song apiece quite effectively on clarinet and guitar) heads a fine octet for a live set that also includes clarinetist
Werner Keller, trombonist Willy Meerwald, the booting tenor of
Engelbert Wrobel, pianist
Romano Mussolini, guitarist
Lino Patruno, bassist Bob Van Oven and drummer
Charly Antolini. Other than a pair of blues ("Oscar's Blues" and "Impromptu Ensemble"), the repertoire is comprised of swing-era standards. Highlights include an exciting rendition of "Lady Be Good," "Honeysuckle Rose," "All of Me" and "Impromptu Ensemble." This German import is easily recommended to mainstream collectors, as are all of the other Nagel-Heyer releases. ~ Scott Yanow