Best known for his friendship and style inspiration with the recently departed Les McCann, pianist Joe Alterman finds companionship with another kindred spirit in tenor saxist Houston Person. Along wit Kevin Smith/b and Justin Chesarek/dr, the two soul brothers make the swinging easy and relaxed, as if you’re in on the last set of a club with the chairs starting to be piled up.
Prson goes operatic on his intro to an R&Bish “Never Let Me Go” and is gorgeously desultory on “Since I Fell For You”. Smith and Chesarek supply a sexy samba with Person cooing on “Only Trust Your Heart” with Alterman and Person getting relaxed and slinky on “That’s All” and “Namely You”. I’d pay these two to play a the words to a text message! When’s the tour?!?