Tapscott Simmons Quartet - Among Friends (1999)

Pianist Horace Tapscott did not record enough during his lifetime, so the release of this live CD from a French label is a welcome event. Tapscott is teamed in 1995 with altoist Sonny Simmons, bassist James Lewis, and drummer John Betsch. The quartet performs a brief "Milestones" and lengthy versions of "Body and Soul," "So What," and "Caravan" (which is over 20 minutes long). Tapscott is typically original and in excellent form while Simmons is a little more erratic, taking a little time to get going. Due to the historic nature of the Tapscott-Simmons collaboration and the high level that the pianist plays, this obscure CD is a must. -- Scott Yanow