René Thomas - René Thomas Quintet. Guitar Groove (2016)

In 1960, Belgian guitarist René Thomas (1926-1975) had his much-anticipated leader debut in the US with the album “Guitar Groove”. He had appeared on record before, on Toshiko Akiyoshi’s “United Notions” (included here as a bonus) and on Sonny Rollins’ “Big Brass”, but “Guitar Groove” was a more informal encounter. It showcases René at great length, establishing him as one of the most fluent and articulate guitarists in jazz.

With him, tenor saxophonist J.R. Monterose—a robust, intensely focused swinger—shares the solo spot, and contributes three originals, Spontaneous Effort (based on Out of Nowhere), the quick-moving M.T.C., and Green Street Scene, an upbeat blues with some Oriental riffing fore and aft. Pianist Hod O’Brien contributes some assured, flowing solos, while Teddy Kotick’s solid bass and the tasteful timekeeping of drummer Tootie Heath provide consistent and unobtrusive support.

With Monterose and Thomas matched in fluency and expressiveness, the tenorist swinging with typical forcefulness, it has to be said that the set also provides ample scope to display Thomas’s inventive and emotional playing in ballads such as How Long Has This Been Going On? and Ruby, My Dear. Throughout, he is imaginative and full of confidence, developing his solos, regardless of tempo, with an unpretentious, swinging conviction that adds credence to the belief that he deserved much more eminence and praise than he ever received.