Just Imagine
Summit, 2019
8/10
A longtime Northern California pianist with an affinity for the work of George Shearing, Dave Miller brings along Chuck Bennet and Bill Belasco for these reworked tunes that Shearing once played.
“One For The Woofer” gets the album off to a bouncy, key friendly start with playful rhythm, and “You Took Advantage Of Me” follows with a quieter setting of piano acrobatics and crisp percussion.
Elsewhere, “I’d Love To Make Love To You” finds the listen settling into a romantic mood of elegance where Miller plays block hand style (a nod to Shearing), while “A Foggy Day” recruits sublime beauty in its cautious delivery.
Near the end, “Careful” finds a frisky place to reside with plenty of percussive experimentation, and “All My Tomorrows” offers a busy display of dynamic instrumentation. “Just Imagine” ends the listen with soulfulness and timelessness in the emotive keys.
Miller and company unleash many solos and spirited song craft on this fine album, as he generally keeps things short and to the point with his esteemed jazz delivery.
Travels well with: Rebecca DuMaine And The Dave Miller Combo- Chez Nous; Wayne Wallace- The Nature Of The Beat