Isotope in Bloomington, MN

Kirk Lightsey
has long been an underrated modern mainstream pianist. He has a fine workout on this trio set with bassist
Jesper Lundgaard
and drummer
Eddie Gladden
from 1983. Of the six selections,
Sonny Rollins'
"Oleo"
and
Joe Henderson's
"Isotope" are best known, but the other four tunes (by
Johnny Griffin
,
Wayne Shorter
Tony Williams
and the obscure
Rudolph Johnson
) are rarely performed. The strong interplay between the musicians and the interesting material uplift the set above the average trio date. ~ Scott Yanow