Bobby Jaspar is in top form in this pair of sessions previously released in the 1980s on an Emarcy CD entitled
Memory of Dick prior to its reappearance in 2001 as a part of Verve's ambitious
Jazz in Paris series. The tenor saxophonist is joined by pianist
René Urtreger, guitarist
Sacha Distel, bassist
Benoit Quersin, and drummer
Jean-Louis Viale for this bop-oriented disc, which includes a sauntering take of
Milt Jackson's "Bag's Groove," a revival of "Milestones" (an early gem by
Miles Davis from his days with
Charlie Parker), and a delightful romp through "You Stepped Out of a Dream." The Belgian leader puts his own stamp on a frenetic but brief arrangement of "A Night in Tunisia," but the most memorable track is "I'll Remember April," featuring his haunting flute in a captivating piano-less setting, which also has fine solos by
Distel and
Quersin.
Jaspar's premature death in 1963 robbed the jazz world of a promising talent; this disc is among his best efforts as a leader.