Andy Pratt sings and plays a Joe Pass-styled guitar with Joe Pollcastro/b and Phil Gratteau on this current release. His string work is clean and clear, rich on the intro to “Soon” and chiming on the Prez Prado classic “Patricia”, with Pollcastro simmering on “Love Theme From Chinatown”. His vocals are warm and assured, crooning on a fun ”Little White Lies” and swinging on “From This Moment On”. If you like John Pizzarelli, this guy’s a good alternative.
Playing piano and Rhodes, Sam Ross works the Mira Room with Simba Distis/b and Dr. Mimi Mured/dr on a collection of originals. Plugged in, he’s into a soul groove for “New Socks” and hits the fusion switch on “Dear Chick”. Sitting at the piano, he swings easy for “Breakfast for Dinner” and takes the blues from Distas’ intro on “New Shoes” with the team getting assertive and angular on “What is TOP”. Easy pulses.