Nika Rejto - Liquid Love (1999)

Flutist Nika Rejto (pronounced Right-O) features 14-year-old piano prodigy Taylor Eigsti on her second CD, titled Liquid Love. The pianist, who names David Benoit among his major piano influences, adds a delightful layer of piano magic to the brilliant flute nuance and grace played by Rejto. Despite the quirk in song selection (the Christmas carol "Joy to the World" closes the set), the CD has some great moments. Best bets for jazz flute enthusiasts are "Autumn Leaves" with its beautiful birdsong trills and Thad Jones' "A Child Is Born" because of its pensive mood and memorable lullaby-like whispers from Rejto's flute. This piano/flute duet is gorgeous. "Secret Love" is rendered in an upbeat tempo with excellent jazz guitar chord stylings from Rick Vandivier. Adding to the musical excellence of Liquid Love are John Shifflett on bass, Jason Lewis on drums, and Josh Jones on percussion, all of whom meet the challenges set by drummer Eddie Marshall, pianist Larry Vuckovich, and flügelhornist Dmitri Matheny on Rejto's debut Bridge Weaver. This sextet is among the finest ensembles on the Northern California jazz scene and is worth a closer listen. © Paula Edelstein