With his West African toned guitar and percussive vocals, Lionel Loueke takes on jazz standards in a not-so-standard fashion in trio fashion with Reuben Rogers/b and Eric Harland/dr. As would probably be expected, he seems most comfortable interpreting Monk tunes, taking on fun reads of “Blue Monk” and a bouncy “We See”, both featuring Rogers’ soloing charms. There is rich interplay on a swinging and deeply dug “Solar” and Harland keeps busy on a bold “Countdown”. The team delivers a rich calypso on a peppy “Skylark” and gives an African lilt to “Footprints”.
Loueke does a few duet excursions with Rogers as well, and these are gracefully textured affairs, with rich and dark hues for “Naima” tender musings for “Moon River” and subtle swinging on “It Might As Well Be Spring”. Well flavored favorites.