Ken Peplowski, Alan Barnes - Doodle Oodle (2009)

Alan Barnes is around the UK jazz circuit so much, in so many different guises, that it's easy to take his virtuosity, professionalism and love of jazz's most accessible song-rooted manifestations for granted, not to mention his standup skills as the MC to his own work. But Barnes's frequent partnerships with American mainstream swingers who sense a kindred spirit (Scott Hamilton is a regular participant) frequently produce sessions that soar above formulaic trots through the evergreens. This one finds Barnes with the US clarinetist and saxophonist Ken Peplowski, aided and abetted by the UK trio of pianist John Pearce, bassist Alec Dankworth and drummer Martin Drew. Typically, the two reedmen pick -swing-era jazz tunes that haven't been done to death, including Billy Byers's title track (at breakneck tempo, with Barnes boppish on alto, Peplowski earthier on tenor), Al Cohn's Two Funky People (a wry, lyrical clarinet duet), Coleman Hawkins's Hanid (baritone sax and clarinet, with a spirited melody and crisp participation from the rhythm section), Barney Bigard's Ready Eddie (a delicious, drifting, two-clarinet pirouette) and Hank Jones's Vignette (typically bright and balletic). It's a swing album with no pretensions, but it's played by experts who love the feel of the style. … we have a small favour to ask. ~ John Fordham