In this new recording of Blaurecords from Scott Hamilton, he is accompanied once again by Dena Derose on piano, Ignasi González on double bass and Jo Kraus on drums. The tracks have a natural, fresh, authentic and creative vibe with the musicians playing simultaneously as in a live concert, and all agreeing on the tonality, style, form and improvisation turns. Hamilton often discovers and recreates little-known and even forgotten songs, such as the one that gives the title to this album “Two for the Road”. One of the characteristic features of his style is his ability to echo legendary tenor saxophonists with his own natural and unadulterated sound and phrasing; his reinterpretation nails it.
Diane is the first track, a relaxed, temperate swing, with the quartet playing the improvisation turns, including the double bass “eight bars” and the drums “four”. Two for the Road by Henry Mancini follows, a beautiful, quiet and melancholic ballad from the Stanley Donen film. Comin’ in Home, a song with dixieland or even ragtime overtones and On a Clear Day, a mid-tempo swing as clear as its title. Somewhere in the Night, a lively song with a Latin air, in which the percussion takes centre stage. It continues with Haunted Heart, a sensational ballad by Schwartz and Dietz from 1948. Then, there is a sudden change in tempo, Race Point, by Hamilton himself, a fast blues. Closing this magnificent recording is Fly me to the Moon, the well-known song performed by so many.
Happy Listening!

Teb Garcia Ferrer.