Neo-trad Allan Vache’ mixes vintage sounds of the swing era with clever harmonies on this toe tapping session. As with all things clarinet, comparisons to Goodman and Shaw are in the cards, and Vache’ doesn’t hide from the long shadows. His tone is Shaw-warm, while his selection is Goodman hot. Teamed with Mark Mckee/[, Charlie Silva/b and Walt Hubbard/dr, he also brings in the reeds of Vanessa Vache/cl-bcl and Erin Davis-Guiles/cl on an elegantly harmonized “Poor Butterfly” lead by McKee’s rich musings as well as a bopping with modern textures “Air Mail Special.” Vache’ is graceful on the warm title track and rich on a bouncy and peppy version of “Cheek to Cheek” while the rhythm team sashays on Jobim’s “Meditation” and glows during “Out of Nowhere.” Lovely pastels and hues.
Arbors Records