Enric Peidro & Jonathan Stout - Sweet as Bear Meat (2021) Hi-Res

In today's world of barnstorming Big Band dance groups and conservatory modern jazz ensembles, it can be easy to forget the laid-back side of Swing. The breathy, reedy, after-hours lilting of sax greats like Prez, Hodges, and Webster. The intimate musical conversations of virtuosos chilling like close friends, like family. The rhythm section sitting so far in the pocket you either want to get up and dance, or just lean back, sip a cocktail, and float in it.

Enric Peidro and Jonathan Stout have clearly not forgotten.

Peidro, as usual, plays the "plumbing" like butter, and Stout, unsurprisingly, turns his guitar into the perfect companion. They lilt, they swing, they chill like family. This album is 14 beautiful, living, small-group swing songs, with all the glory of modern fidelity, and the passion of new voices honoring their pioneers. It's not just music for dancing --- it's music for dancing effortlessly