The symbiotically swinging trio of Nicki Parrott/b-voc, Rossano Sportiello/p and Eddie Metz Jr/dr teams up for a winning release her on a collection of swingers and boppers. Sportiello has a clean and easy touch to the piano and does wonders on bouncy pieces like Bud Powell’s title track as well as the crystalline read of the obscure Ellington piece “Sunset and the Mockingbird.” The trio swings with delight on “John Hardy’s Wife” and Metz gets the toes tapping on”Shiny Stockings.” Parrot’s Blossom Dearie’d voice will charm your socks off on a shuffling gospel read of “Hallelujah, I Love Him SO” while she gets dreamy on “What Are You Doing The Rest of Your Life.” She gets cozy on “Close To You” while sets down the bass line like it’s 12th and Vine on a Kansas City swinger of “Shoe Shine Boy.” The mix of Sportiello’s droplets of dew on Misty,” Metz/s crisp swing on the strutting “She” and Parrot’s flexible bass as on the bouncing “A Brush With Bunji” makes this a triple treat.
Arbors Records