Goodbye Svengali (2006)

"Ray Russells first solo record in 14 years and, man, its good. What began as an idea for a series of duets expanded into a much grander project. From a lovely "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat" with just Russell and Gil Evans (recorded in the eighties) to the out-and-out rock of "Blaize", this is a staggeringly wide-ranging album. Theres some of the free jazz-rock Russell pioneered in the sixties and seventies on "Everywhere" and in the wild guitar/drums section on the title track. But theres also a softer, tender side present on "Without A Trace" and "Wailing Wall" and a filmic quality to "So Far Away". Yet it never sounds cluttered or fragmented. Instead it moves always easily and convincingly through styles and modes. Its Russells sound that dominates but that takes nothing from the bravura playing of Gary Husband and, Russells daughter, Amy Baldwin (fabulous on double bass) or from Miles Evans touchingly emotional trumpet on "Goodbye Svengali". Jazz-rock rarely sounds this good." (Jazzwise, Duncan Heining)