LPCDreissues: Looking forward to the past

Recorded during the same memorable gig at Ronnie Scott's London club as Memories of Thelonious Sphere Monk (OJCCD-851-2), Mostly Duke continues the hard-swinging fun. Monty Alexander, Ray Brown, and Mickey Roker comprised one of Milt Jackson's favorite rhythm sections. They understood his intensity, his wry humor. They complemented his virtuosity. They empathized with his need to swing, whatever the tempo, whether the piece under examination is Michel Legrand's lovely "The Summer Knows" or Duke Ellington's "Just Squeeze Me." Both of those songs are part of the festivities here, along with additional pieces of Ellingtonia, a cherished standard, and one of Jackson's inimitable medium-up-tempo blues. April 23 and 24, 1982 would have been good nights to be at Ronnie Scott's. This CD is the next best thing.
Track listing: Three Little Words, Used to Be Jackson, The Summer Knows, Main Stem, Caravan, Take the "A" Train, Things Ain't What They Used to Be, Come Sunday, Just Squeeze Me (But Don't Tease Me)