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Kotler's music and Cunliffe's arranging equal good listening

Steve Emerine | Tucson, AZ United States | 02/14/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Although I've known for several years about Bill Cunliffe's piano prowess, I wasn't that familiar with Reed Kotler's music when I got Torii Records' "Tomo" CD. What a pleasant surprise! This is 65 or so minutes of well-written and well-performed jazz that is refreshingly new but easy on the ears. Tomo is Japanese for friends or soulmates. That's the case here as saxman Bob Sheppard, guitarist Larry Koonse, bassist Darek Olds and drummer Mark Ferber all make solid contributions to Cunliffe's piano playing and arranging. Try this, and you'll put it into your regular play rotation for a long time."