Pianist Dave Bass puts on a class act session here with a rhythm team of Harvie S/b and Ignacio Berroa/dr as well as a surfeit of all star guests which include Phil Woods/as, Karrin Allyson/voc, Conrad Herwig-Chris Washburne/tb, Enrique Fernandez/fl, Carlos Caro/perc and Paulete McWilliams/voc.
A snapping hard bop quintet with Woods and Herwig gets the show rolling with “The Sixties” and Woods STILL sounds like he’s drinking from the fountain of youth. Bass shows his taste and chops on a couple caliente specials: the timbales fly on “Lost Mambo” and his hands dance on the floor like a late night smoker on “La Comparsa/Mi Montuno.” Woods and Herwig slither on “Baltic Bolero” and a take of “Dark Eyes” features Fernandez’s sidewinding flute. Allyson goes deep and intimate with Harvie S on “Lost Valentine” and glows on “Endless Waltz” while McWilliams closes the disc with a growling R&B read of “Just A Fool.” Anything you want is here, and it’s served hot.
Whaling City Sound Records