Rusty Bryant - Rusty Rides Again (2001)

A top-notch R&B tenor player, Rusty Bryant was also an excellent soul-jazz and hard bop soloist. This CD reissues one of his strongest jazz dates, a live session originally put out by the tiny Phoenix Jazz label. On five of the six songs, Bryant (who sticks throughout to tenor) is assisted by trombonist Gary Carney, pianist Bobby Floyd, electric bassist Terry Binns, and drummer Joe Ong, all local musicians from Columbus, OH. The closing "Love for Sale" (which may be from a different engagement) has unidentified personnel. Bryant is heard in top form on "Gettin' in the Groove," "Rusty Rides Again," and a medley of "The Entertainer" and "I'm Old Fashioned." The recording quality is pretty decent, making this an easily recommended set.