Martial Solal / Dave Douglas: Rue De Seine

The fact that Douglas and Solal pull off this feat within the arguably demanding setting of a trumpet and piano duo is also notable; despite all the idiomatic differences, perhaps the only precedent in this admittedly small field is the duo of Ruby Braff and Ellis Larkins, and it would be nice to think that Douglas and Solal are destined to record together as much as that duo did.

Rue De Seine has none of the contemplative air that some might associate with the duo format. Even "Fast Ballad" is suffused with a depth of musical intelligence that skilfully bypasses the obvious. The same is true of the four standards. Of these, the musicians' reading of "Have You Met Miss Jones?" best celebrates their differences and their ability to come together. It's here also that Solal arguably offers the firmest evidence of why he has been celebrated in certain quarters for a long time. "Here's That Rainy Day" works well because both musicians clearly understand and have an appreciation for the value of understatement.

Of the originals that make up the balance of the programme, Douglas's "Blues To Steve Lacy" captures the essence of the lamented giant, to such an extent that the listener can easily conceive of the man himself negotiating his way through the piece's plangent melody.

These players know how to work together to such a degree that the absence of other musicians is irrelevant. Their results are worthy of the closest listening, not least because there is such an abundance of musical values in evidence.

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