Guitarist
Peter Bernstein is reunited with pianist
Brad Mehldau once more (their fourth recording together under
Bernstein's name) and also keeps the rhythm section intact from his earlier Criss Cross CD
Heart's Content, with
Larry Grenadier on bass and drummer
Bill Stewart. These rewarding sessions blend elements of hard bop and post-bop, including an intriguing, slightly off-center approach to "Stranger in Paradise" and an intricate, moving interpretation of "This Is Always," a ballad that can become stale in the wrong hands. The quartet also tackles quite a few works that don't get all that much attention, like a greasy arranging of
Babs Gonzales' "Soul Stirrin'" and a breezy take of "That Sunday, That Summer," the latter a hit for
Nat King Cole during his years as a popular singer.
Bernstein also adds four potent originals, all of which set the band afire. It is a shame that
Peter Bernstein is overlooked by American record labels, but be thankful that the Japanese know talent when they hear it and invest the time and money to document his work. Highly recommended!