muzycy:
Kenny Drew: Piano
Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen: Bass
Albert Heath: Drums

Kenny Drew had previously worked with bassist Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen and drummer Albert "Tootie" Heath, but these 1974 recordings, made on two consecutive days, mark their first recorded work as a trio. This mid-priced two-CD compilation features the complete contents of two earlier Steeplechase albums (Dark Beauty and If You Could See Me Now). Unlike many piano-led trios, Drew features his sidemen prominently in a variety of settings. Heath's mallet work and Pedersen's warm arco bass add to the luster of the leader's moving ballad "Dark Beauty." The rapid-fire take of Miles Davis' "All Blues" adds several twists to the trumpeter's famous modal theme. Drew's rubato introduction to "It Could Happen to You" evolves into a brisk bluesy swinger. On the latter session, the trio's introspective exploration of Dave Brubeck's "In Your Own Sweet Way," Drew's spiritual-flavored "All Souls Here," and an adventurous take of Duke Ellington's "Prelude to a Kiss" are among the highlights. Both dates were beautifully recorded by engineer Freddy Hansson, who obviously sought to make the most out of these performances by the Kenny Drew Trio.
by Ken Dryden