Along with the accordion, the tuba has to be one of the least likely instruments in the jazz canon, but big brass man Jim Self has made it work. This time out, he even ups the ante, bringing in guitar virtuoso John Chiodini for a collection of clever duos along with a handful of wondrous one-off guest appearances. You’re gonna like it!
The two swing deftly as on the title track with the two switching roles between rhythm and lead. And who would have bet that they could do an impressive take of Chick Corea’s “Spain” and create a new attitude about fusion! Likewise, Stevie Wonder’s “Sir Duke” and Antonio Jobim’s “Dindi” or “Felicidade” range from Dumbo hip funk to lithe and seductive samba.
With guest Scott Whitfield bringing in even more brass on the ‘bone, you get an exciting “Lydian Afternoon”, with tenor sax titan Tom Peterson smoothly swings on “Another Thing”. Baritone saxist David Angel croons with the two on “Everything Happens to Me” while Ron Stout’s flugelhorn teams with Self’s “fluba” and Chiodini for a festive and fun “I Walk A Little Faster”. This album reminds me of the days of early Eddie Lang and Adrian Rollini sessions in the 1920s and 30s, where they ‘d try duets with just about any instrument, and they always worked and were fun. A throwback that sounds futuristic.