The last time Ron Carter and Albert ‘Tootie' Heath worked together was in 1993, for an all-star session called The Riverside Re-Union Band – the bassist and drummer had been Bobby Timmons' rhythm section when the pianist left Art Blakey's Messengers in 1961.

The catalyst for this reunion of veteran heavyweights was Greg Skaff, a jobbing NYC guitarist, stalwart of organ trios, a regular player in the bands of Broadway theatres and first-call dep for Russell Malone in Ron Carter's big band. Largely unsung, Skaff's sideman credits stretch back 35 years to the likes of Stanley Turrentine and include Bobby Watson and Ruth Brown.

Not surprisingly, the guitarist oozes confidence and has some serious chops. Stylistically, his flowing lyricism combines the loping lines of Grant Green with the warm voicings of Kenny Burrell, and he has the nous to leave space for the rhythm section to breathe.

The album mixes well-chosen covers with two Carter originals – there are two versions of Carter's ‘Little Waltz, the first a highlight duet; the second, slightly slower, adds drums. The opening ‘Old Devil Moon’ references Sonny Rollins' trio version on his 1958 Night at the Village Vanguard album, Duke Ellington's ‘Angelica’ has a calypso feel and ‘Yesterdays’ is a wonderful feature for Ron Carter's bass.

Elsewhere, Skaff's reading of Ellington's ballad ‘Lady in the Lavender Mist’ stands out and Carter's ‘Caminando’ delivers the blues with menace. The set ends with Skaff delicately unpicking ‘Ill Wind’ on his own.