Orrin Evans pf Kevin Eubanks guitar

Imani Records

Orrin Evans performs in diverse contexts, from straightahead to free jazz, and his mastery always impresses. Though they have recorded together before, this is his first duo recording with guitarist Kevin Eubanks, with whom he shares Philadelphia roots. It appears on the pianist's own Imani label.

The guitar-piano duets of Bill Evans and Jim Hall are a model in this format, with their immense skill in keeping out of each other's way, given their registral overlap. That is echoed in the very sensitive partnership by these two great improvising musicians, whose repertoire is suffused with the blues while often exploiting post-Evans impressionism.

The seven tracks feature one non-original, the gorgeous ballad ‘Dreams of Lovin’ You' by Tom Browne. Eubanks' ‘Novice Bounce’ is an unusual stylistic synthesis – bluesy jazz-funk in a bossa nova feel. ‘And… They Ran Out Of Biscuits!’ is a minor-key blues-funk based on a pedal point, with furious outbursts of freedom. The album concludes with two pieces recorded live in Philadelphia, the discursive and episodic ‘Variations on The Battle’, and the plangent ‘Variations on Adoration’. EEE is an excellent survey of a richly rewarding partnership.