This is a particularly strong straightahead jazz set. The hard-swinging guitarist
Jimmy Bruno and his trio (bassist Craig Thomas and drummer Victor Ector) first perform a couple of the leader's basic originals and a pair of standards (including
Clifford Brown's "Joy Spring"). After
Bruno plays an inventive version of "I Can't Give You Anything but Love" unaccompanied, he welcomes tenor-saxophonist
Scott Hamilton as the group's guest for the final five numbers. "Lover Man" is taken as a tenor-guitar duet and of the other four standards, "Broadway" and "I Want to Be Happy" are quite heated.
Bruno and Hamilton clearly inspire each other, making this a set that fans of both talented players will want. ~ Scott Yanow