Talking

One of the late Red Mitchells last recordings as a leader, this trio date finds him in stellar company, with pianist Kenny Barron and drummer Ben Riley. Mitchell and Barron long enjoyed a rather unique musical chemistry, and they dont disappoint here. The album opens with the title track, a slightly Latinish Mitchell original. The simple felicity of the melody -- and, in particular, of Barrons elaborations on it -- makes this track a simple but rich delight. Mitchell takes the lead on "Im Old Fashioned," playing the head in a singing, legato style as Barron and Riley fall in gradually behind him. Elsewhere, there are equally fine versions of Barrons "El Sueno" and the standard "Shes Funny That Way," as well as another exceptional Mitchell original, "Heavens Here." The trios version of Thelonious Monks "Locomotive" ends the album on a surprisingly tame note, but this disc is a solid winner overall. Highly recommended. ~ Rick Anderson