Alex Hassan's solo piano playing on
Phantom Fingers falls between several idioms. It is not quite jazz, ragtime, or even novelty ragtime, though it comes the closest to the latter. He plays in a style similar to that of show and dance pianists of the 1930s, influenced by novelty ragtime but utilizing the repertoire of a slightly later period than the
Zez Confrey era.
Hassan has impressive technique, swings throughout, and plays quite melodically while improvising in subtle ways. His solo set is full of obscurities, including four medleys, and he brings to life a great deal of little-known music. This is a highly enjoyable outing.