Time Gentlemen, Please Trio****

With a thoroughly sympathetic John Critchinson-Andy Cleyndert-Mark Taylor rhythm section, Bobby Wellins gives a masterclass in mainstream tenor on his new album. That the repertoire is mostly standards (some unduly familiar), with one or two unusual choices make no difference; it's what Wellins brings to them that counts. His solos, full of drama and surprise, nevertheless have a natural flow; they're not just a succession of choruses, and though he stays inside the harmonies, he never runs changes. And so fertile is his imagination that he rarely uses motivic development. All of Wellins's unique talents are displayed on this unpretentious, swinging date, with stand-out performances of It Never Entered My Mind, The Wee Small Hours, Quando, Quando, Quando(a close to surreal choice), Willow Weep for Me, The Shadow of Your Smileand the title track blues. See triorecords.co.uk