(Consolidated Artists Productions)

Pianist Mike Longo has had a storied career which goes back to his work as a sideman to the likes of Dizzy Gillespie, James Moody and Paul Chambers among others. Longo’s story continues with his latest work Step On It , which finds him leading an outstanding trio of Bob Cranshaw on bass and Lewis Nash on drums. The trio performs together like the parts in fine Swiss watch. This is a band that knows their stuff and each other. Listening to them work through swing and ballads is hearing sheer artistry on display. Longo and company cover standards of a more recent vintage, with tunes by John Coltrane, Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock and Joe Henderson, among others, featuring nicely done arrangements. Longo’s compositional contribution to the mix, as well as the entire recording, is really worth checking out .