Barbados Heat

Originally starting out as a drummer in his native England, Peter Appleyard switched to the vibes in 1951 after moving to Toronto. Beginning in 1956, he started cutting albums for several Canadian record companies before moving over to Concord Jazz. Barbados Heat is the first release for that company. Joined by a top-flight rhythm section of Major Holley, Butch Miles, and Bucky Pizzarelli as well as fellow Canadian Rick Wilkins playing tenor, this live session becomes a swinging affair as this experienced group plays and improvises on a set of eight familiar pieces of music. The ageless "Body and Soul," as much as any of the cuts, allows each player to stretch out, with top billing going to the tenor work of Wilkins, given that this tune is the tenor sax players' anthem. The quintet keeps matters quite simple, sticking to straight, mainstream jazz versions of the items on the play list and creating a jam session effect, as typified by "Take the 'A' Train." That cut is highlighted by clever walking bass by Holley and hard-driving guitar by Pizzarelli. Throughout, Appleyard's playing is clean and resonant, much in the manner of Terry Gibbs. The album's coda is a reminder that Appleyard spent some time with Benny Goodman. It is generally conceded that Appleyard is one of the top vibes players in the world. This album does not take away from that auspicious ranking.
-Dave Nathan