by Scott Yanow
This is a surprising release from Kenny Burrell, for the veteran guitarist plays half of the selections on acoustic guitar and does a very effective job giving a bossa nova rhythm (a la Laurindo Almeida and Charlie Byrd) to some of the tunes. The CD reissue, which also features bassist John Heard, drummer Roy McCurdy and percussionist Kenneth Nash, is mostly laidback, although the renditions of Billy Strayhorn's &U.M.M.G.& and &Stolen Moments& swing. Best are the more lyrical pieces (such as &My Ship& and an unaccompanied &Lost In the Stars&), which allow Burrell to show off his pretty tone.