Summer Night

Guitarist Philip Catherine, once dubbed "Young Django" by Charles Mingus, shows several facets of his playing on this studio recording. Alternating between trio numbers with bassist Philippe Aerts and drummer Joost van Schaik and a quartet adding trumpeter and flügehornist Bert Joris, Catherine divides his set between standards and originals. His somewhat subdued interpretation of "'Round Midnight" sparkles with inspired runs inserted at key points; "Laura" adds a disguised introduction to a very upbeat arrangement. Catherine's writing style is diverse; "Tiger Groove" emphasizes a rock flavor that pales only slightly during his unison lines with Joris; while the ballad "Letter From My Mother" is considerably more subdued and lyrical. "Francis' Delight" is a swirling post-bop line, though the waltz "Le Jardin de Madi" (written in honor of his wife) may be the most accessible of his compositions to new listeners. This enjoyable effort is heartily recommended. ~ Ken Dryden|