A dyed-in-the-wool bebopper, this guitarist can negotiate a chord progression with the best of ’em-something these performances prove again and again.
“Just In Time” clearly demonstrates Elf’s overall capabilities; its rubato solo guitar introduction eventually evolves into a grooving single-note workout supported by bass and drums. While his phrasing, based on steady streams of eighth-notes, occasionally wears thin, he has undeniable chops, which are especially evidenced by the quick work on the title track, “Bossa For Bobby J,” and “MYN Blues.” An added treat is his “Dot Com Blues,” whose lyrics will have you smiling, as will fine contributions by guests Nicholas Payton and Christian McBride.
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