George Shearing - Light, Airy & Swinging (2014) [Hi-Res]

George Shearing, after over two decades as leader of his popular Quintet, was largely taken for granted as a pianist. His trio recordings for MPS in the mid-'70s did a lot to salvage and restore his former reputation as a virtuoso and a distinctive player. On this trio set with bassist Andy Simpkins and drummer Stix Hooper, Shearing fully investigates a variety of superior standards, particularly "Speak Low," Johnny Mandel's "Emily" and "Beautiful Friendship" which are given the most extensive explorations of the eight songs; only "Love Walked In" is a holdover from the quintet days. This enjoyable LP is long overdue to be reissued on CD. -- Scott Yanow