Candid records mixes the old with the new on this latest collection of releases.
Still releasing important material to this day, Stacey Kent shows she was full of ideas back in 200 with this tribute to Fred Astaire. Joined by David Newton/p, Colin Oxley/g, Jim Tomlinson/reeds, Simon Thorpe/b and Steve Brown/dr, Kent is cozy and relaxed throughout, even calmly swaying through “Let Yourself Go” and letting Fred lead as she glides backwards on “I Won’t Dance” and “Shall We Dance”. She makes a great partner on the floor on this one.
Once one of the leaders of West Coast Cool, multi reedist Jimmy Giuffre returns to the studios after a ten year hiatus, playing clarinet, tenor sax and flute with bassist Kiyoshi Tokunaga and drummer/percussionist Randy Kaye. The 12 song 
suite has Giuffre swirling on tenor for “Dervish”, bopping lightly on flute with Tokunaga for “Mosquito Dance” the contemplative “The Butterfly” and “Flute Song” and keeping in the low register on clarinet throughout. The concise pieces make more for intuitive impressions than drawn out ideas. Pastels on woodwinds.
Bet known for his cool alto sax, Lee Konitz pulls a ringer by playing only the tenor on this intimate album with pianist Jimmy Rowles and bassist Michael Moore. He and Rowles show their debt to Lester Young and Count Basie on a take of “Lady Be Good” that starts with a glorious solo intro by the leader. Konitz is quite lyrical on “Skylark” and “Autumn Nocturne” and blows smoke rings on “’Tis Autumn”. Look for this one!
Harmonica master Toots Thielemans is captured at Macdonald Studio in September 1974 with a modern team of Cecil McBee/b, Freddie Waits/dr and Joanne Brackeen/p. Thielemans sears through a rollicking take of “Airgin” and hammers out a hard bopping “Giant Steps”. Brackeen gets a chance to shine on her “Images” and “Snooze” with the team cogent and ebullient on “Days of Wine and Roses”. Thielemans’ own “Revol” is a wondrously melodic gem, as is the flowing “Dr. Pretty”, making this one of his stronger releases.
Led by director Scotty Barnhart, the Count Basie Orchestra hits blues standards with a slew of juke joint jumping guests. Bobby Rush blows the harp and hits the Chitlin’ Circuit on “Boogie In The Dark” and Robert Cray gives a soulful stir to “The Midnight Hour”. Buddy Guy, Charlie Mussellwhite and Shemkia Copeland stomp, grind and blow on a defiant “I’m A Woman” and even George Benson gets into the act with an earthy “Rock Candy”. Did I miss this tour?