Likeable, swinging Hammond B3-led mainstreamery here from New York based Japanese player Akiko Tsuruga, a certain riff-groove achemy the name of the game and bright clean playing from a strong band, particularly trumpeter Joe Magnarelli on 'I'll Close My Eyes' where there is also some very nifty brush work on the same track from drummer Byron Landham. It's our pick of the album - and makes us recall, while this is very different, a lovely version of the Billy Reid standard taken at a much slower lick, by Joey DeFrancesco and Jimmy Smith on their album Legacy which Landham was also on. Tsuruga, who hails from Osaka, was mentored by the late great ''turbanator'' Dr Lonnie Smith and certainly the feelgood spirit and swinging ease you find on a Lonnie Smith record is an inspiration here. The title track where tenorist Jerry Weldon comes to the fore has a few interesting twists and turns as the balladic flavour of the piece unfolds. And on 'Back Track' guitarist Ed Cherry injects a lot of Cornell Dupree-like energy into his comping and lively soloing. The version of 'Mack the Knife' buoyant and happy-go-lucky as it is you could imagine going down a storm in a top jazz supper club. Feelgood vintage stuff - if you're into players like Ed Bentley on the UK scene you'll be right at home here.
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