Here’s a 17-track mixed-bag tribute to mark the centenary of the influential jazz guitarist Ike Isaacs who was born in Burma in 1919 and died in Australia in 1996. He had moved to Aus from London to take up a professorship at Sydney’s Guitar School in the early 1980s. Fittingly then, this special compilation has appeared on an Australian label. Essentially a collation of newly-recorded pieces, mostly of solo guitar, plus a select number of tracks culled from other releases involving friends and associates, it culminates in a solo excursion by Isaacs himself.

Opening with a masterly solo version of an Isaacs original by Taylor, whose booklet note pays affectionate homage to Isaacs as both a musical guide and an influential friend, its complexity sets the bar high for what follows. Christie then sings Bonfa’s ‘The Gentle Rain’ in ethereal fashion, with keening soprano from Kinsman – no guitar here. Orr goes for ‘Round Midnight,’ classy in solo, and prominent local specialist Selwyn is lyrical on ‘Stardust’, Marshall tackling ‘When Lights Are Low’ with bass and drums. Ike’s nephew Mark Isaacs contributes ’Bagatelle’ in his memory, the irrepressible Frank Holder vocalises in lively fashion on ‘Fly Me To The Moon’, with Hill alongside. Goldie’s version of ‘Darn That Dream’ is a gem. Allen plays Getz-ian tenor on ‘Out of Rangoon’, a tribute to Isaacs written by producer Roger Frankham, bright piano by Renzi. Jazzwise founder Alexander does well with co-worker Robinson, as does Isaacs himself on his own ‘Starlight’. With mostly lyrical guitar picking, acoustic rather than electric, it’s a touching tribute to a much-loved musician and mentor.