Rudy Linka - Always Double Czech! (1996)

Tracklist

01. Coming Through
02. Room # 428
03. Air Jamaica
04. Our Drives to K1
05. The Man from Waikiki
06. Bob's Tune
07. Secret Inside
08. Come Rain or Come Shine
09. Way Back
10. Now This
11. And How Are You in the Mornings?

Jazz has been an international music since the 1920s, so it is no longer all that surprising that two of the three musicians on this trio date (guitarist Rudy Linka and bassist George Mraz) were born in Czechoslovakia; hence its title. Although there is close interplay between the musicians, which also include drummer Marvin "Smitty" Smith, the guitarist is clearly the lead voice. His cool-toned sound and harmonically advanced style should appeal to Jim Hall fans. All of the selections (other than "Come Rain or Come Shine") are Linka's originals, and the music falls into the hard bop/post-bop idiom. The low volume only partly masks the intensity, and the playing throughout is impressive, if sometimes a little dry. Well worth checking out.

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