Guitarist
Mundell Lowe has not recorded nearly enough as a leader, though this somewhat obscure effort from the late '70s on the now-defunct Dobre label is well worth obtaining. With
Lowe accompanied by bassist
Bob Magnusson and drummer
Nick Ceroli, most of this studio session consists of very familiar warhorses, with a couple of exceptions. Even though "On the Trail" has been recorded countless times,
Lowe's easygoing version, complete with features for his sidemen, sounds very fresh.
Al Cohn's subtle "P-Town" and a smoking take of
Sonny Rollins' calypso anthem "St. Thomas" are also first-rate. But
Lowe especially showcases his immense talent during his solo interpretation of his beautiful miniature ballad "I Think You Always Knew." Briefly available in the CD compilation
Souvenirs, which was released by Jazz Alliance in 1992, it seems that neither version of this highly recommended set is now in print.