As written in the liner notes, this album is (almost) all about “the art of the duo,” with alto saxist PJ Berry creating a rich atmosphere of sonatas with pianist Bill Mays on a rich collection of standards. Mays is the perfect choice here, with a wide stride feel to his graceful swing. The Berry’s tone is a bit on the bright side, working well on the fun and exciting up and down the boulevard of “Parisian Thoroughfare” and bopping with elan for “Laid Baird.” Perry is sunny and warm on the cheerful “East of the Sun” and the two are gentle with “This Quiet Storm, giving a rich sense of nostalgia as the leader goes bel canto for “There’s A Small Hotel.”
Mays gets the aria on the opening of a medley, with “The Folks Who Live On The Hill” ebullient before he nods to Perry to get into a last call for “Two For The Road.” The spaciousness gives Perry lots of room to be expressive, using dynamics and feeling over numbing chops, and that’s a good call here on this conversation between swinging friends.