Steve Allee Colors
Yet another jazz pianist, but Steve Allee is trio all the way.
This is Allee's first trio record, and a departure for him, as he is more identified with crossover jazz. What the heck, though, if Bob James can do it, why can't Allee? Actually, Allee pulls off the change-up rather well. All but two of the ten tracks presented here are his originals and with Bill Moring on acoustic bass and Tim Horner on drums, Steve leads fresh-sounding, tight ensemble work to hard swinging bop. He also adds Latins influences to the mix, as in the percussive interlude on "Bubbles" and the samba-flavored title cut. One of the covers, "Yesterdays" is nicely reworked with a nifty, shuffling arrangement. This record isn't destined to rack up end-of-year awards but it's hard to find any notable faults with it, either. It will satisfy any craving for no-nonsense, yeoman piano jazz.