Pianist
Bill Mays' recorded debut as a leader was long overdue (he was already 38) and unfortunately doomed to obscurity, since the ITI label did not last long. That is a pity, for this exploratory yet often swinging set teams him in a set of inventive duets with bassist
Red Mitchell. The duo stretches out on
Jim Hall's "Waltz New" and five familiar standards, coming up with all types of subtle surprises and reactions to each other's ideas. This is an album that yields new revelations each time it is played. ~ Scott Yanow