This excellent set, which features guitarist
Rodney Jones on his melodic originals, blues, ballads, and a few standards, sounds as if it were recorded in 2005 except for one fact. Pianist
Kenny Kirkland, who passed away prematurely in 1998, is in the quartet. Surprisingly no date is included in the liner notes, so the 1985 date given for the previously unreleased set is just an educated guess, since it is mentioned that bassist
Marc Johnson was new in town at the time of the recording. It is a joy to hear some "new"
Kirkland solos but the contributions of
Jones,
Johnson, and drummer
Jeff "Tain" Watts (who is very subtle throughout) should not be overlooked either.
Jones' songs are excellent, with "Blue Days, Blue Dreams" and "While We Dream" in particular being rewarding ballads that should be covered by others. Recommended. ~ Scott Yanow