Just as sleek and super swinging as I remember guitarist Randy Napoleon playing live in London with the late Freddy Cole back in 2010, here in the studio playing the music of Gregg Hill in the company of the core band of pianist Rick Roe, bassist Rodney Whitaker, drummer Quincy Davis and singer Aubrey Johnson who adds a ghostly top note coat to opener the slow 'April Song' which says a lot about this record: it takes its time and makes it point. The vocals blend well with the ensemble play. On five of the tunes Napoleon adds three horns, trombonist Andrew Kim, saxist Walter Blanding and trumpeter Anthony Stanco, a decision that gives the album a lot more depth than it might have otherwise have had if pared back to the bone. 'Motel Blues,' with its Wes Montgomery-like character, I liked most along with the duetting with Johnson on 'Skyline'. Both these tunes have lyrics by Napoleon. An album perfect for anyone intro American mainstream and straightahead sounds and above all connoisseur level jazz in-the-tradition guitar playing and tunes that punch above their weight. SG

Out on 23 February