Album Notes

"...the songs' expressive depth emerge in the sensitivity of the performance. Phrasing and control are immaculate, and the range of 14 songs, at times intense, is always enjoyable. The real surprises are 'It Had to be You', 'Teach Me Tonight', and 'Antonio's Song', in which the musical and dramatic continuity is fluent and delightful... The Bar and Billiard Room at Raffles, where this CD was recorded live, contains some of the colour, francophile richness and opulent finesse, as well as furnishings of a bygone era. Thanks to this CD, an evening in the Bar and Billiard Room in the company of the Trio, and sometimes friends, can happily be revived again and again..." - Sound Advice, IS Magazine, Singapore

"Swingin' laidback jazz with Martinez's captivating voice predominating... Not to be outdone, Chako's understated singing, Montgomery-style guitar with Barrett's breezy sax blending in beautifully... Rhythmic and percussive back-up well delineated." - Big O Magazine, Singapore

"...the leader's burnished, luminous guitar lines throbbing along with a crisp backing from bass, drum, and tart tenor sax... negotiated with agile skill... laid back vocals and lovely guitar backings on every track... on a funky, fuzzy blues Greg pulls out all the stops, gets low down and dirty, and engages his best licks in a seven minute selection almost worth the price of the CD alone... - Jazz Journal, U.K.

"...recorded live in the world famous Raffles Hotel, some funky latin-jazz tunes, Martinez's fine warm resonant cabaret type voice... will further enhance Greg Chako's growing reputation..." - Jazz Guitar Society, Australia

"...Billy Martinez's lazy, mellow voice is a joy to listen to... Chako's guitar flows... A class act!" - Elle Magazine

"...tasteful mainstream... Greg Chako is all mellow glow... - Singapore Straits Times