PX Records is the new recording imprint for the Pizza Express Live set-up, headquartered at Dean Street.

Logically and sensibly, it is to Scott Hamilton that the label has turned for its debut release. It marks a continuous 40-year association between Dean Street and the ever-popular American, this continuing to the present day. And it's 20 years since he began working regularly with his British accompanists, who appear with him for his twice-yearly seasons at the club and who are with him here. So, multiple hurrahs all round then.

Hamilton opens with ‘The Breeze and I’, his relaxed phrasemaking and warm, honeyed tone undimmed by time, the live atmosphere well caught, the recorded quality quite exceptional, Green's firm lines especially noteworthy. Having heard this tenorist on a multiplicity of occasions, it's pertinent to point out that he seldom disappoints, always able, seemingly, to find new things to say on what must be largely familiar material. That said, Pearce is cut from the same cloth; invariably unruffled and succinct, qualities shared by Green and Brown, too. The drummer follows the Jamal rhythmic template on ‘Poinciana’, Hamilton deeper-voiced as he opens up on this lovely piece, inspired and happy to run on for 13 minutes.

Indeed, most of these pieces receive extended treatments, with Pearce up for everything, notably on the bop specialties like ‘Blue ‘N’ Boogie; and ‘Tin Tin Deo‘, the tenorist marginally more adventurous in his improvisations. Ballads follow with ‘The Summer Wind’ the standout, Hamilton raising the temperature a tad, his companions with him all the way. The Penguin Guide To Jazz Recordings cited Pearce, Green and Brown as ‘attentive, assured and completely across the material’ on their previous Live in London outing in 2002 on Concord, and they still are, Then again so is Hamilton. Superb music.