Byrd contributes four originals, Laroo three, and together they co-wrote three. Into this mix they include their bright interpretations of such jazz classics as "Four," plus Miles' "Solar" and Monk's "Well You Needn't" and "Misterioso." As a kind of surprise bonus, there's also Benny Golson's "I Remember Clifford," the venerable jazz requiem for trumpeter Clifford Brown.
Byrd sings, even scats here and there, plus does some hand drumming on bongos on another track. A careful, empathetic listener and accompanist, Byrd also knows how to assert his own solo voice, virtues perhaps acquired early on in life since he was the youngest of 16 siblings, including five brothers and 10 sisters.
Laroo plays open and muted horn and swings on bass on a handful of tracks, including the duo's high-flying, solar-powered rendition of "Solar." You just get accustomed to Lady Miles musing on trumpet, and the next thing you know the Flying Dutchwoman is soaring on booming standup bass. And it's not just an acoustic shtick, but the real deal.
Individual soloing talents strut their way through the disc, balanced with a genuine sense of collaboration. Each player shines on his or her own while simultaneously inspiring one another and accentuating one another's strengths. As part of the buoyant mood, they accentuate the positive but never have to eliminate the negative because there isn't any.
Because they so obviously love the duo format and thrive on collaborating with each other, they generate an upbeat feeling with their playing that flows, never flags.
