The Classic Trio, Vol. II

David Hazeltine is one of those rare performers whose music is highly accessible without sacrificing artistic vision, whose exquisite, finely tuned technique never knocks you out, but always seems to fit perfectly. You might call Hazeltine a meat-and-potatoes sort of pianist, and you'd be somewhat on the mark, but only if you're talking about a fine prime rib with gratin dauphinois. Hazeltine swings right in the heart of the tradition, taking familiar tunes such as "What the World Needs Now" and "Days of Wine and Roses," and transforming them gently with altered tempos, accents, and rhythms. The pianist's confident touch never hesitates, and when coupled with a crisp recording quality, produces masterful results. Vol. 2 continues where The Classic Trio (Sharp Nine 1005) left off, with more of the same sort of quality, effervescent, straight-ahead fare that seems to characterize the work of Hazeltine, bassist Peter Washington, and drummer Louis Hayes. The three are a unit, meaning that there is an uncanny unity that comes from hours spent together. They may be "in the pocket," as the Sharp Nine label announces, but these fellows interpret in their own way, with a slight twist, which sets them apart ever so slightly.