Pianist Joe Cartwright and bassist Steve Rigazzi worked together regularly in Kansas City prior to the arrival in town of drummer Artt Frank. Frank suggested that they record as a trio and this swinging CD is the result. No rehearsals took place beforehand and the music sounds as if it was being performed by a regularly working group. The three musicians function very much as equals, with a fair number of brief bass and drum solos though Cartwright is generally the lead voice. Artt Frank sticks exclusively to brushes yet keeps the momentum moving on both the uptempo pieces and the ballads. The group performs three originals and six standards including Dave Brubeck's, "In Your Own Sweet Way," a driving redition of "My Romance," "Dat Dere," and a 10 1/2 minute version of, "I've Never Been In Love Before." The interplay between the musicians display their close musical communication and their large ears. The music develops logically and always holds onto the listener's attention since it is full of subtle surprises and never stops swinging.
This high-quality modern mainstream trio date is available from MJA(P.O. BOX 470, Rocky Point, N.Y. 11778)
—Scott Yanow
LA Jazz Scene, February 2004