Song And Dance

Known primarily as Sonny Rollins' sideman, guitarist Bobby Broom has put out a few discs on his own, and this latest one might be his best one yet. Spaciously accompanied by Dennis Carrol (bass) and Kobie Watkins (drums), Broom grooves through a set of cleverly selected tunes, and makes them swing and sway. Clever arrangements of The Beatles' "Can't Buy Me Love" and "The Little Rascals Theme" make these pieces seem like logical jazz standards. Anytime you ask yourself "Why hasn't anyone done this song before?", you know this guy is on to something. Ditto for a well crafted reading of "Wichita Lineman" which features marvelous interplay between Broom and Watkins. Broom's tone, mixing bluesy with bop, flows effortlessly through the romantic pieces like "You and the Night and the Music." Rewarding disc, and maybe Sonny will give him some more solo space next time he comes to town!