Claudio Roditi: Reflections

Reflections is a well-paced collection of mostly original material, the bulk of which was written by the date's pianist, Klaus Ignatzek, with one composition each by its bassist, Jean-Louis Rassinfosse, and Dizzy Gillespie.

The opening title track has a memorable melody and features a fluid piano solo by Ignatzek. Trumpeter Claudio Roditi delivers a spirited, swinging solo on the next up-tempo track, "Minor Ex." Rassinfosse's composition "Soul Mood Song" has a bluesy gospel feel, sounding almost like a shout. Gillespie's "Ow" shows Roditi's facility with staccato as well as a dialogue with Rassinfosse. Two ballads, "Another Time" and "Warm Breeze" (which sounds just like the title suggests), give Roditi a chance for some sensitive reading and feature some fine work by Rassinfosse. "Three Steps Ahead," a minor-key waltz, continues the lyrical performances of the trio. Also notable is the closing "Blue Moments," where Ignatzek goes from dazzling piano runs to chords and Roditi solos in double time, both aided by Rassinfosse's swinging bass.

There is almost a chamber music group feeling to Reflections, though it's done with a wonderfully laid-back approach. Roditi has a fluid style on both trumpet and flugelhorn whatever the tempo may be, Ignatzek is lyrical as a pianist and melodic as a composer, and Rassinfosse swings beautifully on bass. This is a little gem to enjoy.