George Cables Trio - Skylark (1996)

George Cables made a series of excellent CDs for Steeplechase during the 1990s, one of which is Skylark, a fun trio studio session with bassist Jay Anderson and drummer Tootie Heath. Starting with a brisk take of Blue Mitchell's enticing calypso "Fungii Mama," the pianist offers a well-conceived set. A trio of tunes by great Brazilian composers include a snappy take of "Manha De Carnaval," a driving "Samba De Orfeu," and an usually upbeat take of the normally relaxed "A Felicidade." Cables also offers fresh approaches to the standards "Skylark" and "Someday My Prince Will Come." His easygoing stroll through Thelonious Monk's "Pannonica" is followed by his sole original of the date, "Dolahin," a spirited blend of calypso and Latin rhythms.