Erroll Garner: Lover

Fans of post-1960 jazz piano trios might be shocked to find that previously such groups weren't wildly egalitarian gymnasiums where bassist and drummer vied with one another to out-muscle the pianist. Not so long ago, rhythm instruments accompanied the pianono overbearing bassist plucking like Earl Scruggs on steroids, no drummer trading fours with himself from start to finish. As proof of how captivating this could be, consider Erroll Garner's cozily affectionate "Lover." Especially coming on the heels of Stan Kenton's overpoweringly brassy "Lover" (1947) and Les Paul's equally impersonal techno-pop cover (1948 ), Garner's warm-blooded, one-on-one effervescence is endearing.