Veteran trombonist
Jimmy Knepper
has led relatively few recording sessions, but this 1979 studio date is well worth acquiring.
Knepper
brought his own arrangements to the studio for his pickup group of European musicians to play, and all went well throughout the session. Fluegelhornist
Eddie Engels
and tenor saxophonist
Dick Vennik
are great foils for the leader's matchless trombone, especially in his sizzling opener,
"Tell Me."
The sassy
"Brewery Boys Blues"
and
"Nearer My God in G"
(a
waltz
which reworks the old hymn
"Nearer My God to Thee"
) are also originals by
. Since
appeared on many of
Charles Mingus
' best-known recordings, the inclusion of the late bassist's
gospel
-flavored
"Ecculusiastics"
should be no surprise. Also included are two very lyrical takes of the standard
"I Thought About You,"
both of which feature
with pianist
Floris Nico Bunink
in a duo setting. Recommended. ~ Ken Dryden