Pat Martino: We'll Be Together Again

A real beauty, We'll Be Together Again pairs the outstanding jazz guitarist Pat Martino with electric pianist Gil Goldstein for a song cycle that explores ballads and more meditative / contemplative material. It's a perfect union that surprisingly never waivers throughout 45 minutes from maintaining its listener's attention or interest. Goldstein, especially, is the ideal tonal colorist. Although he solos occasionally, the keyboardist more often creates perfect aural envelopes for Martino's deft and lovely explorations on guitar. There is also an appealing stylistic consistency here absent from the pair's 1976 follow-up, Starbright (Warner Bros.). And the choice to stick with an electric piano throughout is inspired. Martino has always sounded great paired with the much maligned keyboard (check out 1970's Desperado on Prestige or 1972's Live! or, best of all, 1974's Consciousness ).

For the most part, the program sticks to familiar jazz terrain. But even Martino breathes genuine originality into war horses like "Dreamsville" and, most notably, the cheesy "Send in the Clowns." Martino's dynamic opening suite "Open Roads," and the standard "Willow Weep For Me" are the disc's best tracks—and while they threaten to set Martino's fingers flying, the pair explore this musical terrain with great care and sensitive passion.

Jazz fans who always hope to have their favorite artist's favorite LP released on CD will be reassured by the release of We'll Be Together Again too. When 32 Jazz Records asked Martino which of his Muse albums he would choose to release on CD, the guitarist named this one because of all the e-mail requests he gets for it. Kudos (again) to 32 Jazz for caring about the music and putting out worthwhile jazz at great prices. What a refreshing change to have jazz music fans running a jazz record company!

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