In the early '90s, the Frisco Syncopators were a spirited septet mixing together New Orleans jazz with the San Francisco style of Lu Watters and Turk Murphy. The drumless group consists of co-leaders Chris Tyle on cornet and drummer Hal Smith, plus trombonist Bob Mielke, veteran soprano saxophonist George Probert, pianist Steve Pistorius, banjoist Amy Sharpe, and Bill Caroll on tuba. Among the tunes that they perform in near riotous fashion are "Got Dem Blues," "Firechief Rag," "Soprano Sax Marmalade," "Ostrich Walk," "Come Back Sweet Mama," and "All the Girls Go Crazy." The occasional musician vocals (harmless but unnecessary) and some erratic intonation keep this set from being flawless, but the music is often infectious and has its bright moments. ~ Scott Yanow