Here's Hodgkins newly released from his long-term role as director of Jazz Services and back to doing what he always looked for time to do. He's playing with old friends from his early days on the Welsh jazz scene and about to tour with this group to promote the album. As is customary with Hodgkins, he's in pared-down form, caught in musical flagrante delicto as it were, with just piano and alternating bassists in support. Price's Wilson-ish piano opens ‘Sweethearts On Parade’ before Chris cuts in brightly, technique assured and the tone firmly centred, his sound and style momentarily akin to that of the late Humphrey Lyttelton, the exposition sticking to what might be best described as the mainstream template with the melody uppermost. Of course, great exemplars are recalled: how else could you play ‘Kiss to Build a Dream On’ without a hint of Louis? In contrast, ‘Nightingale’ is for Price with both bassists, one playing arco, the other pizzicato, the effect both elegiac and refined. With 17 tracks, none over-long, nicely mixing standards and Ellington staples plus a couple of Hodgkins originals, there's plenty here to enjoy. The trumpeter sounds relaxed and thoughtful, eschewing any sudden rushes of blood, each bassist acquitting themselves well, while Price is something of a find, consistently inventive. Good work all round.