Face to Face

by Scott Yanow Duet albums featuring an accordion and an organ are rather rare, but this collaboration by Richard Galliano and Eddy Louiss is consistently delightful and charming. Their two instruments blend together quite well, the songs (which range from a couple jazz standards and straight-ahead tunes to tangos and French folk melodies) are catchy, and this duet set by two of the top French jazz musicians is a complete success. Listeners who think that the accordion does not belong in jazz are particularly recommended to check out this infectious CD.