Veteran trumpeter
Tim Hagans' second CD for the German label Pirouet retains two-thirds of his rhythm section from the first release (pianist
Marc Copland and bassist
Drew Gress, with the promising German drummer
Jochen Rueckert taking over for
Bill Stewart.
Hagans cedes the writing duties to his pianist, who wrote or co-wrote the first four pieces.
Copland's energetic post-bop vehicle "See You Again" and "Sweet Peach Tree" are excellent showcases for the leader's darting trumpet. The moody ballad "Not Even the Rain" is a touching affair, while the mellow "Over and Back" showcases
Gress as well. The three standards that close the session are all well known to jazz listeners, though each of them sound fresh in
Hagans' capable hands. "You Don't Know What Love Is" has a sense of additional drama, with the trumpeter's unaccompanied improvised introduction, adding
Copland as they work gradually work their way around its theme in a haunting manner. "Alone Together" is played in a more straight-ahead manner, though the rhythm section's offbeat accompaniment provides a fresh backdrop as opposed to the usual chord changes.
Hagans will inevitably be compared to
Miles Davis by using a mute in "Stella by Starlight," though the leader's sound is very much his own. This is easily one of
Hagans' best recordings. ~ Ken Dryden