Sal Salvador and Mundell Lowe: Second Time Around

Sal and Mundell first united back in the early ’50s when Sal became a member of the Mundell Lowe Quartet. Now, after so much water has passed under the bridge, the two guitar veterans are back together again, this time supported by the keen rhythm section work of bassist Phil Bowler and drummer Scott Latzky.

Miles’ “Seven Steps To Heaven,” the opener, puts the album on track as each player hits the ground running, with Sal sculpting long graceful lines and Mundell phrasing more spaciously. Ever in tune to (in tune with being taken for granted) to each other, the duo generates many moments of beautiful interplay. Cases in point include “Line For Lyons,” with its sublimely interweaving tandem lines and the sensitive, sympathetic treatment of “A Child Is Born.” They demonstrate their solo guitar chops on “Last Night When We Were Young” and “A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square,” featuring Lowe and Salvador respectively; and on “Swing Lowe,” which grooves relentlessly, and the Latin flavored “Sal’s Delight,” each salutes the other with an original composition. Through and through, Second Time Around is a delight from two of the instrument’s best.

Originally Published May 1, 1997