Live from Studio A
is a collection, a sampler really, of tracks by those who have recorded in the famed
Studio A
in New York City and recorded for the
Chesky
label.
's assemblage sounds great, it's beautifully sequenced and wonderfully diverse. It ranges from
McCoy Tyner
's band playing from
New York Reunion
,
Phil Woods
from the beautiful
Here's to My Lady
, to
Mongo Santamaria
from
Mambo Mongo
. The label's diversity and willingness to record quality musicians form nearly any ilk in the
jazz
tradition has made it a true collector's label. Add to that their reliance on brilliant warm sound and you have a winner. Other standout cuts on this set are
Peggy Lee
's
"Why Don't You Do Right,"
Kenny Rankin
's vocal take on
"'Round Midnight,"
and
Tom Harrell
's utterly gorgeous
"Suite Dreams."
~ Thom Jurek