third recording for Delmark has many highlights. The opening number ( ) is just 31 seconds long and finds playing the sheet music that was spotted on the music rack of piano in a photo; it was greatly magnified so the unpublished extract could be read. In addition, he performs three numbers by the legendary (including "Heliotrope Bouquet," which Chauvin co-wrote with Joplin), works by , , and , plus a straightforward rendition of "Lift Every Voice and Sing" and seven of his originals. The latter fall into the vein of classic ragtime, including a tango and one number vocalized by , and are full of rich melodies. Based on his recordings thus far, ranks with as the top ragtime composer of the past 20 years and is sure to be a major force in keeping this 100-year-old (but at times nearly extinct) music alive. ~ Scott Yanow