I Wanna Talk About You

Tete Montoliu's releases are inevitably a joy to hear; this 1980 studio session with bassist George Mraz and drummer Al Foster is no exception. This pianist wasn't properly appreciated in his lifetime, likely due to the fact that most of his releases were recorded for European labels, which jazz fans have had inconsistent access to before the Internet era. Montoliu begins with a driving post-bop original "Nexus, Plexus, Sexus," followed by his jaunty "Blues for Wim and Maxine," which features Mraz playing some sinewy supporting lines. Kenny Dorham's "Scandia Skies" is played as a lively waltz, while Billy Eckstine's "I Want to Talk About You" (the CD's title and listing for the song is incorrect) is slowly savored as a classic ballad should be. Al Foster provides a lot of the steam to Montoliu's interpretation of the bop classic "Confirmation." Tenor saxophonist Hank Mobley, who by 1980 had pretty much retired from performing due to ill health, makes one of his final record dates by guesting on "Autumn Leaves"; he starts slow but ends up turning in a fine performance. Highly recommended.