The latest releases reviewed

RALPH TOWNER Time Line ECM ****
Solo guitar by a master of the art. Here Towner uses classical and 12-string guitars for a programme consisting of originals by him, a pair of standards and five spontaneously created fragments. Whether or not much of it could be considered to be within the jazz idiom, what emerges is the gifted ruminations of an exceptional player. The original compositions are the real meat of the recital, with If, a swirling dance in 5/4, a particularly arresting performance; the evocative titles - Pendant, The Hollows, The Lizards of Eraclea, Turning of the Leaves -were all added post hoc. That's surprising, because the names are so redolent of the images and feelings conjured up by the compositions. The standards are extravagant fantasias on the material, but that won't bother Towner's fans. www.musicconection.org.uk

Ray Comiskey

DON FAGERQUIST Portrait of a Great Jazz Artist Fresh Sound ****

Most of his career was spent in West Coast studios, but Fagerquist, who died relatively young in 1974, was a marvellous trumpeter who could produce lyrical solos from a well of melodic invention that never seemed to run dry. And he had the technique and nous to pull it off regardless of context. This impressive compilation of rarities offers ample testiment to Fagerquist's gloriously supple, mobile trumpet in small group and big band settings, even strings, with a veritable roll call of the Best of the West in Zoot Sims, Bob Gordon, Herb Geller, Buddy Collette, Bill Holman, Bob Enevoldsen, Ted Nash and others; Holman, Marty Paich and Russell Garcia were among the arrangers. Despite that, the four stars are for Fagerquist; he really was that good. www.freshsoundrecords.com

Ray Comiskey

FRANCISCO PAIS Not Afraid of Color Fresh Sound ***

Francisco Pais is a Portuguese guitarist and composer leading a fine quintet of Chris Cheek (tenor/soprano), Leo Genovese (piano/fender rhodes), Massimo Biolcati (bass) and Ferenc Nemeth (drums) on a repertoire of his originals. Although these tend to be more interesting for their changes rather than their intrinsic character, the band's soloists find them nourishing - particularly Cheek, whose work, as always, has originality, focus and a sure sense of development.Abeautifully flexible rhythm section, in which Nemeth is particularly striking, is perhaps a little too powerful for Pais, a somewhat reticent, discursive performer who tends to react more than lead. He's a good, thoughtful player who may emerge more forcefully in the future. www.freshsoundrecords.com

Ray Comiskey