Claudio Roditi - Claudio Roditi & Metropole Orchestra (1996)

The talented trumpeter is backed by the 51-piece Metropole Orchestra for this enjoyable session. Although the strings occasionally give it an easy-listening flavor, Roditi's strong solos and director Rob Pronk's arrangements overcome this reservation. "Speak Low" is underscored with swirling strings beneath Roditi's soaring horn. His take of "On the Trail" owes a clear debt to Clark Terry's landmark recording, as well as his legendary humor. Roditi's chops on both flugelhorn and trumpet compare favorably to Terry as well. -- Ken Dryden