Bob Mover: My Heart Tells Me

Jazz saxophone veteran Bob Mover has put together a very satisfying two-disc release, My Heart Tell Me, with both swinging instrumentals and his very effective,unadorned vocals.

Disc one has Mover mostly singing standards in soft pensive fashion, bringing to mind Nat Cole, as well as Chet Baker, his early-days cohort. Standouts on this are Warren/Gordon's "My Heart Tells Me'' and Carey/Fischer's "Gone With th Wind," featuring pianist Kenny Barron's impeccable accompaniment---no embellishment, unadorned, but lots of soul. On Wrubel/Madison's "You've Changed," Mover again shows his vocal prowess, underlined again by Barron's exquisite backing.The one instrumental on this side is Cole Porter's "Get Out of Town," a barnburner, highlighting Mover's sax.

Disc two features the band, save for the Kenny Dorham jazz standard "Fair Weather" which is sung in an overcast mood, enhanced by Josh Evans' trumpet. The excellent quartet is augmented occasionally by the aforementioned Evans, along with second tenor Steve Hall. The tunes on this are mainly Mover's own. "Chet's Chum" is delightfully reminiscent of Dizzy Gillespie]'s "Salt Peanuts," Mover in a somewhat boppish Charlie Parker spirit. "Sweet Basil," features Mover and Evans in a great run; soon Hall and Barron catch up before the finish line. It's all-together invigorating.

Some background on Mover who should be better known. Born in 1952 in Boston,, his father was a musician who played with the Charlie Spivak orchestra. At 13, he began playing the alto saxophone and went on to study with Phil Woods. Professionally, he has played with such as Charles Mingus, Paul Bley , Ron Carter and, Baker, his big influence.

This is Mover's first recording since 2008's It Amazes Me on Zoho Music. It is good to see this versatile, talented musician out there again.