Sings Just You, Just Me

For everyone who likes the deep velvet baritones of performers such as Johnny Hartman and Billy Eckstine this CD-reissue is a very velcome event. These old (1947) Regent recordings have not been available for many years. They are also the first under Hartman's own name. Four tunes, arranged by Danny Mendelsohn, are with strings while the rest features a more jazz-oriented group with (probably) Tyree Glenn on both trombone & vibes. Maybe the latter one is the most interesting. There is a relaxed and soft mood in this music that is good to have in the times of "jive" noise and rough sounds around! Many consider the Hartman-Coltrane Impulse recordings as his best, but for me is "And I Thought About You" (originally a Roost LP) an excellent choice too.