One of Bill Evans' most cryptic and curious recordings. Interplay was recorded in July of 1962 with a very young Freddie Hubbard from the Jazz Messengers, guitarist Jim Hall, bassist Percy Heath, and drummer Philly Joe Jones performing five veteran standards. Evans takes a more blues-based approach to his playing. Hard and edgy, you hear the pianist taking some influence from Hall, who's playing swings heavily no matter the song. There's an air of restraint to Hubbard's trumpet. Muted for most of the album, his lyricism is brought out from behind the hard bop curtain of Art Blakey's Messengers. The heavily swung title track, the only original composition on the album, is where the quintet really moves into its own. You get a real sense of the power behind the control and restraint.

• 180g black vinyl pressing
• remastered audio
• direct metal mastering
• featuring Bill Evans (p), Freddie Hubbard (t), Jim Hall (g), Percy Heath (b), Philly Joe Jones (d)
• original release year: 1962
• music label: Jazz Wax Records 2023

reviewed by Cool Hand 04/2015