Mike LeDonne's 1988 debut as a leader was overlooked by many jazz critics, broadcasters, and jazz fans because it came out on the Dutch label Criss Cross instead of on an American label in the pianist's homeland. By that time, the then-32-year-old pianist was already a fully formed composer and arranger, complemented by the presence of trumpeter and flugelhornist
Tom Harrell, baritone saxophonist
Gary Smulyan, bassist Dennis Erwin, and drummer
Kenny Washington. The loping gait of
LeDonne's opener, "Boo's Blues," inspires loose but inspired solos by everyone except
Washington (who sticks to time-keeping). His "B.P. Bossa" is actually a burning hard bop number which would have appealed to a bandleader such as
Art Blakey during the 1960s.
LeDonne's interpretations of
Hank Jones' "Minor Contention" and
Duke Ellington's bittersweet "All Too Soon" also deserve high praise. This first-rate debut is warmly recommended. ~ Ken Dryden