Stepped

In 1961, both pianist Ran Blake and singer Jeanne Lee (helped out on two cuts by bassist George Duvivier) made their recording debut with a set of coolly emotional duets. Nearly 28 years later, they had a reunion for this Owl CD, showing the musical growth they had experienced while still sounding quite recognizable; both had found their own musical paths early on. Half of the numbers on the set are originals (including Lee's "I Like Your Style"), but it is generally the fresh renditions of standards that are most memorable, including a haunting "You Stepped Out of a Dream," "Where Are You," "You Go to My Head" and "Alone Together." Blake and Lee should work together more often.