The latest release by journeyman guitarist Bruce Forman on his own B4Man-Music imprint is called Reunion!, a fine trio session with bassist John Clayton and drummer Jeff Hamilton. The reunion in this case is the actual instruments they all brought to the studio: Forman is playing Barney Kessel’s guitar, Clayton wields a bass that was owned by Ray Brown, and Hamilton sits at Shelly Manne’s drum set. As a recording unit for Contemporary Records, Kessel, Brown, and Manne were known as The Poll Winners. You could call them the New Poll Winners, I suppose, but there’s nothing revivalist about this trio. What they do have in common with those well-respected forerunners is irresistible swing, great taste in material, a knack for just the right tempos, and the impeccable solo work. Forman writes that the session was “like kids getting together and playing their parents’ instruments.” That’s a warm feeling that comes through on every track of this immensely pleasurable session. Definitely worth seeking out.
B4Man-Music; Bruce Forman (g) John Clayton (b) Jeff Hamilton (d); no recording information; Rope-A-Dope/ This is New/ Feel the Barn/ Gravy Waltz/ Barney’s Tune/ April in Paris/ Hammer’s Back in Town/ BRS/ Stardust/ On Green Dolphin Street/ The Daze/ Love Potion #9; 46:42. www.bruceforman.com
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