To a Finland Station
In 1982,Dizzy Gillespiefound himself performing in Helsinki at the same time as his gifted protégé Arturo Sandoval, so he booked a studio and a solid Finnish rhythm section for this spirited jam session on five of his tunes. It's a memorable encounter between a musical giant and one of his most talented followers. And it's much more a meeting of like minds than a cutting contest. The master and the pupil pick up on one another's every nuance, leading to some fiery chases and some subtle conversations amid the inspired solos. "Wheatleigh Hall" is a fast bop tune, while "Dizzy the Duck" is a funky blues groove that gives pianist Esku Linnavalli a chance to show some surprising roots. In between, there are plenty of strong Latin rhythms to act as further stimulus to exalted trumpet playing.--Stuart Broomer