THE KEYSTONE QUARTET
A Love Story
32 Jazz 32210

A solid mainstream session, this begins with a “Lamp Is Low” filled with energy; this could be any club on a hot night. On this tune, pianist Cyrus Chestnut reminds one more of the rich Kennys: Drew or Barron than the tastefully Tatumesque teases he provides on the rest of the disc. I recommend his Atlantic disc “The Dark Before The Dawn” to lovers of solid mainstream jazz, as there he uses the blues and uptempo numbers which seem to spark him more than ruminative pieces do.

The standout on this studio session recording in New York in November of 1998 is the interplay between the gravely under-mentioned George Mraz and Lewish Nash. Together they are the cornerstone of this Keystone, and their interplay fillips the edifice. Listen to their duo solo in the middle of Hancock’s “Dolphin Dance” or Chestnut’s “Tateresque;” these two are in love with each other’s playing and you have to bask in their joy.

As a whole, although few tracks catch solid fire throughout,the disc has no bum cuts and is recommendable.

Steve Koenig

Track Listing: 1. The Lamp Is Low; 2. Moonlight Becomes You; 3. Everything Must Change; 4. Suddenly; 5. My Love and I (Love Theme from Apache); 6. Dolphin Dance; 7. Prelude to a Kiss; 8. Tateresque; 9. We’re All Alone; 10. Laura

Personnel: Eric Anderson, tenor saxophone; Cyrus Chestnut, piano; George Mraz, bass; Lewish Nash, drums