Steve Kuhn's sole session for the Postcards label feels like three separate dates. With tenorist
Bob Mintzer and trumpeter
Tom Harrell individually featured on three quartet tracks apiece, plus three trio selections with bassist
George Mraz and drummer
Al Foster, the chemistry is stimulating throughout the disc.
Mintzer's brisk bop vehicle "Six Gun" explodes right from the start, while a lush treatment of
Quincy Jones' "'The Pawnbroker" and
Kuhn's magical samba "Clotilde" also merit praise.
Harrell is added for the wistful ballad "Romance," making a late entrance following the leader's poignant opening solo. The trumpeter contributed the passionate"Visions of Gaudi" and also appears in
Kuhn's upbeat "Looking Back." But
Kuhn is best heard in the trio numbers, including a playful extended workout of the standard "There Is No Greater Love";
Steve Swallow's driving, intense "Remember"; and an emotional arrangement of "Good Morning, Heartache." This valuable CD unfortunately did not remain on the market for long, with the swift demise of the Postcards label after only a few years of existence. ~ Ken Dryden