Joey DeFrancesco/Guido Basso/Lorne Lofsky/Vito Rezza: One Take

Joey DeFrancesco is the most recognizable name, but don’t discount the three Canadian musicians. They would do any band proud and bring in a great deal of skill, in particular trumpeter Guido Basso. He can permeate any situation and fill it with a focussed presence that elevates the tone and the emotion. This facet comes in right from the very first tune, on which his phrases glow and crackle as they underline the melody and then move on to the terrain of improvisation. DeFrancesco pumps the organ for short, dancing notes, into which he weaves long, slithering lines, all the while urged by Vito Rezza on the drums.

DeFrancesco is quicksilver and shoots out careening lines when it comes to “Walkin’,” but it is Lorne Lofsky who reins in the pace and gives the tune a distinct dimension with a modulated, textured solo. Basso caresses the melodic line of “Caruso,” delineating it beautifully and paves the way for the others to extend the skein which they do with a deliberate yet deep vented pulse.

A nice one, melding perfectly into the wellspring of mainstream jazz.

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