Rich Austin: Right At Home

McHugh contributes the first three tunes, which consist of half of this album, and they are attractive ones. On "Let The Chihuahuas Dance," after a rather ordinary two-minute intro, McHugh breaks into a Latin vamp and the group follows in a full-tilt Latin jazz display. It is apparent that the chihuahuas must have been dancing somewhere near San Juan. On my favorite track, "Something About Jane," Tommy LaBella takes this mid-tempo composition out for a cool walk evoking the ghosts of Bluenote/Prestige of the late '50s and early '60s. LaBella's own tune, "Calling of the Heart," also serves as a chance to give the drummer some, as well as inviting a bass solo from Naspo. McHugh begins the traditional "Endearing Young Charms" with a very churchy piano intro and then LaBella preaches a sermon that would do Hank Crawford proud. The track ends inexplicably with a free jazz flurry during its final minute. Austin provides a bolero tempo for the highly underappreciated standard "Time Was (Duerme)" for a graceful and melodic finale.