Only Trust Your Heart

This is a pleasant, very traditional jazz offering from British tenor saxophonist Jim Tomlinson, who is strongly influenced by the suave, pre-bop style of Lester Young. Leading off with a "Sweet Georgia Brown"-based original called "Makin' Brownies," Tomlinson and band establish a confident, swinging feel that sets up strong solos by the leader, pianist John Pearce, and guitarist Colin Oxley. Bassist Simon Thorpe and drummer Steve Brown ably handle rhythm section duties throughout. Trumpeter Guy Barker and vocalist Stacey Kent (Tomlinson's wife) make three guest appearances each. Kent is especially good on Duke Ellington's "I'm Just a Lucky So and So."

Tomlinson displays a sensitive touch on the ballads "Only the Lonely," "Just a Child," and "What Will I Tell My Heart?" He also does well on the bossa novas: Johnny Mandel's "El Cajon," Jobim's "If You Never Come to Me," and the title track. On Hans Koller's "Vienna Blues" and Colin Oxley's "Blue Corners," Tomlinson and his group make it very clear that Brits are no strangers to that quintessentially American idiom, the blues.

On the whole, a fine album, but its very inoffensiveness might actually be a shortcoming. ~ David R. Adler, Rovi