Jazz Improv Magazine 4/99

HIGH STANDARDS - Kapland Records 1997 (Kapland Records, P.O. Box 742. Aptos, CA 95001, Telephone: Phone; 831-687-0278; Fax- 831-685-2609; e-rnail: kaplandisc@aol.com; website: www.ronkaplan. corn). A Night In Tunisia; Summertime; Dindi; Favorite Things; When I Fall In Love; Born To Be Blue; Angel Eyes, Song For My Father; Autumn Leaves; Senor Blues; Lazy Afternoon (Total Time 49.53)
PERSONNEL: Ron Kaplan, vocals; Smith Dobson, piano; Stan Poplin, bass; Steve Robertson, drums; Donny McCaslin Jr., Tenor sax (on Night In Tunisia, Dindi, Born To Be Blue, Angel Eyes); Paul Contos, tenor sax.

By Eric Nemeyer

High Standards presenting Ron Kaplan is a smart, package, featuring superb musicians, and the heart and soul of a mature vocalist and leader. To introduce himself to a wider audience, Los Angeles native Kaplan has wisely chosen some of the more well-known compositions from the standard and jazz repertoire. Repertoire including compositions such as Gershwin's classic "Summertirne," and "Song For My Father" make this album highly accessible. Add to that Kaplan's style and approach that is influenced by the enduring quality of great songstylists of the 1950s and 1960's and you have a winner.

"Summertime" is a medium groove swinger that opens with Kaplan's articulate vocals on this classic.

Smith Dobson's flourishes and arpeggios, at the beginning of Jobim's "Dindi," gently support the sensitive rubato opening by Kaplan, The tune evolves into a relaxed bossa nova tempo, a nice contrast to the opening of this tune, and the tracks preceding it. Kaplan's understanding of this song along with his strong sense of time, thoughtful phrasing, and the group performance are compelling.

"When I Fall In Love'' is performed with a very light backbeat, hinting at a pop ballad. Smith Dobson's piano solo complements Kaplan's sensitive interpretation of this warm ballad.

Backed by the rhythm section churning over a 6/8 bluesy backbeat, Kaplan pours out his heart on "Born To Be Blue.'' That track is followed by a noteworthy interpretation of the Matt Dennis ballad ''Angel Eyes.'' The introduction features Dobson's piano and Stan Poplin's bowed bass. In the tradition of the great male vocalists Sinatra and Tony Bennett, Kaplan turns in an authoritative and engaging performance. McCaslin's tenor sax solo over the double time groove is a highlight of this track.

There's a fresh treatment of Horace Silver's "Song For my Father."

One of the highlights of the album is the locked-in grooves, sensitive accompaniment by and interplay among the members of the rhythm section. A stellar example of this is on the track "Autumn Leaves," where Dobson turns in a swinging piano solo featuring some powerful locked hands ideas.

High Standards is just that, from the moment you look at the album jacket and put on the CD until you hear the final notes of "Lazy Afternoon." The variety of ballads, swingers, and latin grooves are sequenced in an order that works well to maintain this listener's attention. It's apparent from the packaging the quality design and professional photography, that Kaplan has put a lot of effort into this superb independently produced and distributed release.

This CD release is evidence of a rnusician who both loves the music, and has invested the necessary listening time to create and distribute a quality package.