Japanese bassist
Kengo Nakamura leads a well-rounded and expertly paced CD of modern mainstream jazz on
Re: Standards. Most selections feature a quintet with numerous fine spots for trumpeter
Marcus Printup and Ted Nash on reeds. The bop and hard bop set includes a few departures, particularly in the versions of "Bourbon Street Parade" and "Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans."
Makoto Ozone guests on piano during two numbers and plays organ on
Oscar Peterson's "Hymn to Freedom."
Nakamura takes a few short solos but is content to swing behind the lead voices. This good-natured set is easy to enjoy and well worth searching for. ~ Scott Yanow