Konitz & Solal - Impressive Rome (2000)

Lee Konitz's initial recording session with pianist Martial Solal produced two albums (the other one is European Episode), including alternate versions of several songs. With bassist Henri Texier and drummer Daniel Humair rounding out the lineup, the quartet tackles a rapid-fire take of "Anthropology" and a somewhat spacy interpretation of "Lover Man." Two pieces are credited to an Italian composer. "Impressive Rome" is a bit meandering with a haunting air, while the more straight-ahead "Roman Blues" features the alto saxophonist's best solo work of the date. The one duet is "Stella by Starlight," in which Solal plays some wild lines to back Konitz, making it far more memorable than typical arrangements of this standard. This was a great beginning to an occasional partnership that lasted into the early '80s and produced several more albums.