Album Notes

Not exactly a stylistic or tonal innovator, Floridian guitarist Nate Najar is nevertheless one of the most consistently interesting and enjoyable young guitarists on the jazz scene. On his second album as a leader he takes his quartet - which consists of vibraphonist Sam Koppelman, bassist Steve Boisen and drummer Steven Bucholtz - through a swinging and varied program of standards and originals that includes such mainstream fare as Carl Amundson's "CIS", Henry Mancini's "Dreamsville" and Najar's own swinging "Feels Like Spring" as well as unusual choices like "I'm an Old Cowhand (from the Rio Grande)" and a wonderful arrangement of "Battle Hymn of the Republic" that makes explicit the song's basic blues structure (and on which Najar slyly inserts a few bars of "Dixie" into his solo). Just about everything about this recording gives it a vintage 1950s feel, from the distant drum miking to the interplay of the vibraphone and the warm, soft-edged guitar tone that Najar favors. But none of it sounds hackneyed or self-consciously "retro"; Najar's playing and writing are equally fresh and exciting, breathing new life into what could have been a tired genre exercise. Highly recommended. - Rick Anderson, All Music Guide