Hot Nights / Ready For Love

Digitally re-mastered two-fer containing a pair of '80s albums from the pianist and vocalist. This collection admirably demonstrates the breadth of his talent. Hot Nights was recorded in Los Angeles in 1982 for Artie Mogull's short-lived Applause label, while Ready for Love was made a couple of years later in 1984 for the American Bainbridge label. They showcase Buddy in more contemporary mode, with arrangements very much of that era, some of them Soul or Funk flavored and offering another dimension to Buddy's more familiar Big Band based approach. It makes for a very entertaining and listenable collection with a strong creative thread combining contemporary standards with new songs and several originals, giving a slightly different slant on Buddy's style which his fans will certainly enjoy and which will also appeal to a wider audience. Trapeze.