Marcus Printup's fifth CD for Steeplechase was inspired by the few tracks featuring harpist Riza Hequibal (his wife) on his previous CD for the label; this time around, it's just the two of them and bassist
Kengo Nakamura. While there have been a few jazz harpists since the 1940s, the instrument is still a rarity. The trumpeter and flügelhornist has benefited from producer Nils Winther's interest in recording him on a regular basis, while
Printup has delivered several outstanding sessions for Winther. The chemistry between the musicians is readily apparent from the opening track, a breezy take of
Kenny Dorham's "Blue Bossa," with strong solos all around and the lack of additional players never being an issue.
Printup's emotional trumpet in "I Remember Clifford" and "A Time for Love" is buoyed by Hequibal's shimmering harp. The strings give the sassy, light arrangement of
Horace Silver's normally percussive "Song for My Father" a step in a new direction. Hequibal almost sounds like a guitarist at times in "Maiden Voyage."
Printup switches to flügelhorn for the heartfelt "It Might as Well Be Spring," making the most of his spacious scoring of this timeless standard. Highly recommended. ~ Ken Dryden