Playin' for Keeps
draws on inspirations spanning from
Tin Pan Alley
to
bossa nova
the British Invasion
to forge a
soul-jazz
groove with its own distinct sensibility. Though rooted in
bop
,
Bunky Green
embraces both
pop
and
avant-garde
idioms as well, channeling his myriad influences to create a soulful and lithe sound with an impressive command of space and time. Bassist
Cleveland Eaton
, pianist
Willie Pickens
, and drummer
Harold Jones
are all in fine form throughout, clearly relishing the indelible melodies of selections like
"The Shadow of Your Smile"
"Yesterday."
Green
's edgy, forceful alto is nevertheless the focal point, navigating the material with skill and finesse. ~ Jason Ankeny