June 1998

Victor Jones C.A.F.E. Trio
Live at Bradley's in New York City
Satellites

By Geraldine Wyckoff

"Hey, nice set!" was undoubtedly the reaction as the audience left this last recording session at the legendary club Bradley's. Drummer Victor Jones and his trio with David Kikoski on piano and Essiet Essiet on bass lived up to the combo's name C.A.F.E.-"Classics Are Forever"-reworking some of jazz's important compositions. Jones wasn't the only one with tempo on his mind, all three musicians are rhythm makers this night. "Love for Sale" is given a bossa nova beat punctuated by Kikoski's strong left hand and Essiet's rounded bass. It makes a nice entrance for the next cut, Jobim's "Corcovado." Things get poppin' on "Seven Steps to Heaven," which opens with Jones and Essiet exchanging bars and gives the drummer room to stretch out on a solo. The date ends with a lovely extended interpretation of Frank Foster's "Shiny Stockings." Simply a solid set.