There are bass players and then there are bass players, and Neil Swainson is up there with the very best. His intonation, full, round tone, articulation (even at the briskest of tempos), harmonic sophistication and sheer rhythmic lift that seems to inspire those around him are things of wonder.

So, why isn't he better known? Well, he's a Canadian who has largely stayed at home, albeit having toured with the late Woody Shaw and in duet with the late George Shearing. 49th Parallel is the sole release under his own name, originally put out by Concord (although its contemporary post-bop feel is one not usually associated with the label), and is thought to be the last recording Woody Shaw ever made. It certainly shows Shaw at his best (‘On the Lam’, ‘Port of Spain’), and playing alongside Joe Henderson there's a creative tension between the trumpeter's often asymmetrical melodic sense, full of twists and convoluted turns, and Henderson's suave, surging elegance, a combination that was first heard together on Horace Silver's Cape Verdean Blues in 1965. Combined with a Canadian rhythm section that knew their stuff (Gary Williamson on piano is excellent) make this album a valuable little gem.