Although the instrumentation -- a quartet comprised of clarinetist
Allan Vache, cornetist David Jones, rhythm guitarist Bob Leary, and bassist Phil Fanigan -- may remind some of the 1940 collaboration of
Sidney Bechet and
Muggsy Spanier, this CD has a life and spirit of its own.
Vache does not play soprano and does not sound like Bechet, and the versatile Jones has his own personal approach to the trad jazz style. Quite often, the quartet simply romps; the highlights include "That Da Da Strain," Bechet's "Promenade aux Champs-Elysées," "China Boy," "Panama," and the obscure "Deep Henderson." The blend between
Vache and Jones is quite appealing; the two mutually inspire each other. Recommended to fans of hot jazz. ~ Scott Yanow