Spike Robinson - Spike Robinson Plays Harry Warren (2005)

This CD reissues tenor saxophonist Spike Robinson's 1981 Discovery LP of the same name and adds six additional selections recorded in 1993. The Discovery date was recorded when Robinson was already 51 and found him returning to jazz after a 30-year absence from full-time activity. The cool-toned tenor (heard with pianist Victor Feldman, bassist Ray Brown, and drummer John Guerin) proved to be very much in his prime, a new type of Young Lion who brought back the Four Brothers' sound. The 1993 selections with pianist Pete Jolly, bassist John Leitham, and drummer Paul Kreibich are on the same high level. Since the underrated Harry Warren was one of the top songwriters of the 1930s and '40s, Robinson had plenty to choose from on this tribute set. His high-quality repertoire includes "This Heart of Mine," "There Will Never Be Another You," "Serenade in Blue," "Lulu's Back in Town," and even "Chattanooga Choo Choo." A highly recommended and swinging program. ~Scott Yanow