I’m not sure where producer George Klabin is finding these vintage live sessions, but I hope the well is connected to an aquifer. His releases of material by Hubbard, Evans and Montgomery have been nothing short of revelatory, and this latest one spotlighting the four hands of Tommy Flanagan and Jaki Byard is a surprising as delightful. Culled from 1982 gig in San Francisco, the hour’s material consists of two kindred spirits, one with the heart of a bopper, and the other with the soul of a lion going back and forth passing jazz dna to one another. 176 keys of delightful joy sprinkle down on material like “Scrapple From The Apple” and “Our Delight” while “Just One of Those Things” starts with a somber ballad theme before picking up steam and heading on down Lombard Street with no brakes. Ellingtonia is in sharp focus here, with Flanaga going solo on “Something To Live For” while the 20 digits find frivolity on “Satin Doll.” A take of Chuck Mangione’s “Land of Make Believe” have Byard tapping into his inner Mingus, while the blues and “Rhythm” changes get a workout on the closing “The Theme.” When it’s in your marrow, it’s easy to rely on your instincts, something all of the Music Minus One books can never teach you. Sort of like the difference between going to Seminary and seeing the Burning Bush for yourself. These guys have the first hand experience, so get it from the masters!
Resonance Records
www.resonancerecords.org