California Swing Cats - Stealin' Apples (1997)

There is an impressive amount of variety on this swing-based set despite the small size of the group. Clarinetist Tim Laughlin, vocalist/rhythm guitarist Rebecca Kilgore, pianist Tom Roberts, bassist Marty Eggers and drummer Hal Smith all understand prebop jazz quite well. Many of the songs are taken from the swing era (including "Piano Man," "Drum Boogie," "What a Little Moonlight Can Do," "Sing, Sing, Sing, and "Cow Cow Boogie") but in most cases the quintet brings something fresh to the well-known tunes. Kilgore has straightforward and pleasing vocals on nine of the 16 selections, Hal Smith vocalizes harmlessly on three, and overall the music is enjoyable even if lacking any real surprises.