Guitarist
Dave Corbus has had a long jazz career, though this is just his second CD as a leader. With a fluid technique and appealing sound,
Corbus is well accompanied by bassist
Lindsey Horner and drummer
Lieven Venken on this trio session. One of the nice surprises is
Corbus' selection of less familiar tunes, with one exception. But even
Toots Thielemans' signature song "Bluesette" is recast in a new light, as the melody is slowed down, with reharmonized chord changes that give it a bit more of an introspective, somewhat dark flavor. His quiet samba treatment of
Kenny Barron's "Sunshower" and breezy take of the late
Joe Farrell's "Sound Down" are songs deserving wider recognition. The leader's originals include the funky "For the Kidz" (with a hip shuffle rhythm by
Venken) and the tense "Running Scared."
Horner contributed the subtle ballad "All the Time in the World." This is a delightful date by
Dave Corbus, a talent deserving wider recognition. ~ Ken Dryden