This CD was recorded in May of 2004 and released in 2005 by groovytodd records. Naturally, we assume the groovytodd refers to the accordionist, Todd Hildreth. I think you will agree this CD is indeed groovy in all sorts of jazzy ways! If you were sitting in a restaurant or a bar and this group began playing, you would take notice and listen.

Todd has used really great tunes with some rather good ideas in his arrangements. He plays some very nice improvisations with good solid right hand technique and controls the phrasing quite well. In fact, he uses his bellows like a true musician.

He is one of the many young accordionists around that so many people never have a chance to hear. Some of us don't get to Louisville, KY (USA) too often; this CD is a great way to hear what's happening in the jazz field in that city. I say if you like jazz and like to hear good young jazz accordionists, buy this CD.

The accordion pictured on the cover is a Giulietti piano accordion, but it seemed to me that Todd might have used a different accordion on a couple of the tunes. Nevertheless, the recording engineers did a fine job with the accordion sound, which is often hard to capture well. The guitar sound, for my likes, was a bit too close with a "twang" to it a few times, but the playing was fine. In fact, both the guitar and the bass players contributed a lot to the general success of this album. Good job.

Contact: groovytodd records at www.groovytodd.com or Todd at todd@Javamen.com

Reviewed by Joan Cochran Sommers
(August 2005)