Soft & Mellow

by Scott YanowDespite the title of this record by guitarist Herb Ellis, the songs are not all sleepy ballads. In fact, the opening number played by the quartet (which also includes pianist Ross Tompkins, bassist Monty Budwig and drummer Jake Hanna) is a rapid version of "Shine" and there is also an uptempo rendition of "Rosetta" to close the date. In between Ellis and his group perform five standards (including a few ballads) plus his original "Jeff's Bad Blues," dedicated to Concord head Carl Jefferson. An excellent all-round set of swinging music.