Bassist
Michel Donato has had limited exposure outside of his native Canada, though he is popular in his homeland and a first-call musician for visiting stars, including the late
Bill Evans, the late
Benny Carter,
Clark Terry, and numerous other greats. This trio session with pianist
Pierre Leduc and drummer
Richard Provençal has a bit of
Evans' flavor, as several pieces were written by the revered pianist or recorded by him on more than one occasion.
Leduc's touch is obviously influenced to a degree by
Evans, though he is no mere clone, while
Donato evidently prefers to keep out of the solo spotlight, unlike many bassist-led CDs. Their hip treatment of
Evans' signature set closer, "Five," and the spry take of his breezy "Peri's Scope" are among the high points of the date, while
Evans' melancholy ballad "'The Two Lonely People" is barely explored. The leader's excellent tribute to bassist
Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen, "N.H.O.P. Blue," is a subtle yet intricate blues, with
Donato keeping an unusually low profile. An excellent date led by a musician who deserves to be better known worldwide. ~ Ken Dryden