One of the late
Red Mitchell's last recordings as a leader, this trio date finds him in stellar company, with pianist
Kenny Barron and drummer
Ben Riley.
Mitchell and
Barron long enjoyed a rather unique musical chemistry, and they don't disappoint here. The album opens with the title track, a slightly Latinish
Mitchell original. The simple felicity of the melody -- and, in particular, of
Barron's elaborations on it -- makes this track a simple but rich delight.
Mitchell takes the lead on "I'm Old Fashioned," playing the head in a singing, legato style as
Barron and
Riley fall in gradually behind him. Elsewhere, there are equally fine versions of
Barron's "El Sueno" and the standard "She's Funny That Way," as well as another exceptional
Mitchell original, "Heaven's Here." The trio's version of
Thelonious Monk's "Locomotive" ends the album on a surprisingly tame note, but this disc is a solid winner overall. Highly recommended. ~ Rick Anderson