the hard bop-influenced l4-1, the modern ballad alaPatMetheny For the Stranger, and the Latin-influenced NoChance. So there is something for everyone on thisalbum, and due to clever programming, the listener willget a refreshing switch of style on almost every tune.The compositions themselves are brilliant. One wouldnever guess that the composer is not yet thirty years oldand has been studying this music for less than tenyears. The tunes take full advantage of Takamen'sensemble cast-sax, piano, bass and drums-and he man-ages to get the best out of his players on each tune,showing that Takamen is also becoming a strong bandleader.

The blowing on this album is very tasteful, andthough all of these fine musicians have incrediblechops, as is evident on Takamen's solo on l4-l andsaxophonist Ro Hasegawa's solo on No Chance, theynever let their chops dictate their ideas. Instead, thesolos are allowed to develop at their own pace andalways seem to go somewhere unexpected on eachtune.

This album would make a great addition to anyjazz fan's library. The playing is strong, the composi-tions engaging, and the group dynamic is never lessthan brilliant. Takamen has given us a great first albumand left us with the anticipation of his successes tocome.

Reviewed by Matthew Warnock

TRIO BY STARLIGHTROYCE CAMPBELL TRIOPhilology Records W357 .2www.roycecampbellmusic.com

oyce Campbell is a very fine swing guitar play-er. On this CD he employs a compositionaltechnique that several other jazz players have

used. Standard chord progressions are used with titlesthat echo the originals. The difference in this project isthat the melody lines are improvised rather than com-posed.

Veteran pianist Hod O'Brien has played with,among others, Chet Baker, Gerry Mulligan and ArtFarmer. Bassist Tom Baldwin fills his position well inthis trio setting void of a drummer. His walking linesprovide a good support throughout the CD.

Selections include, "Unforgettable April," "TheGirl From Rio," "Who's Got Rhythm," and "AlmostMidnight." I have enjoyed Campbell's playing for afew years now, and O'Brien, a legendary piano player,

truly has earned his position in jazz history. While notdemonstrating the high level of musicality that I haveheard from these players in the past, it is still an inter-esting work.

Reviewed by Vince Lewis

DIANE HUBKA GOES TO THE MOVIESProduced by Diane Hubka

nce again DianeHubka has come out and fash-ioned an exceptionally good vocal album thatfeatures her beautiful jazz singing with lots of

little surprises. She can capture the audience's attentionwith her wonderful style and the inviting, charmingtones of her voice. She has always something new forus, and always picks engaging beautiful tunes.

On this outing, the first since she left New Yorkfor Los Angeles, we have a wonderful quintet in themix including Christian Jacob, pianist, who arrangedmany of the pieces. Carl Saunders is on trumpet andflugelhorn, and the flugelhorn does fit very nicely withDiane's tone. Larry Koonse is on guitar-remarkable,fast, clean, and sharp and so original. Chris Colangeloon bass, and Joe LaBarbera, drums really move thegroup along. Joe played with Bill Evans, who was oneof Diane's favorite musicians.

The pieces are all from movie scores. "A11God's Children Got Rhythm" is the opener, and it islively. It comes from "A Day at the Races," "The Lookof Love" from "Casino Royale" is by Burt Bacharach,"Lovers in New York," the theme from "Breakfast atTiffany's" has a beautiful approach with excitingvocals, and in trading fours her voice is one of theinstruments on one of the choruses in the tune.

An upbeat piece, "He's a Tramp" from "Ladyand the Tramp" written by Sonny Burke and Peggy Leereally swings away.

My favorite pieces on the CD are "You OnlyLive Twice" from the James Bond movie, nicely keep-ing the flavor of the adventurous film, and "Manha deCarnival," aLt;Jrz Bonfa piece from "Black Orpheus."On this piece Diane sings beautifully in Portuguese aswell as plays some very sweet finger-style guitar. Yes,this is a vocal CD but Diane is well known to all of theguitar players around the New York area and there issome really great guitar on here, to say nothing of thewonderful backing up of the singing by Christian Jacobon piano and the arrangements that he set out for thegroup as well. This CD is another wonderful showcaseof Diane Hubka's talent as a singer, instrumentalist and

Just Jazz Guitar . Mav 2007 Page 135