Butch Miles, the longtime drummer of the Count Basie Orchestra, leads a hard bop-oriented session on the Nagel Heyer CD
Straight on Till Morning. Although
Miles is most associated with modern swing, this set is a bit more up-to-date while swinging hard. Trumpeter Bob Ojeda arranged eight of the 11 selections and contributed six originals. Doug Lawrence takes some fine tenor solos, trombonist Bill Porter displays some inventive ideas, pianist
Kenny Drew, Jr. plays some powerful improvisations, and
Lynn Seaton's bowed bass solos are a highlight. Alex Saudargas guests on classical guitar during "Dreamsville" while
Frank Wess is on one song. With
Miles pushing everyone, this is a frequently exciting set full of subtle surprises, including a humorous boppish reworking of "When You Wish Upon a Star." ~ Scott Yanow