88

Subtitled “The Cello Quartet,” 88 features guitarist Joshua Breakstone in company with cellist Mike Richmond, bassist Lisle Atkinson and drummer Andy Watson in a collection of nine tunes, eight of them composed by some of his favorite pianists. Like his 2014 Capri CD, With the Wind and Rain in Your Hair, Breakstone’s string section (cello, bass and guitar—14 strings!) gives the music an unusual vibe. The tempos range from the super hot (Cedar Walton’s “Black”) to the meditative calm of Mal Waldron’s “Soul Eyes,” on which Breakstone’s poignant playing has the clarity of rain drops gently falling into a reflecting pool. Richmond’s pizzicato cello work shines throughout, especially on “Eighty-Eight,” a Breakstone original he “dedicated to the pianists of the world,” and Barry Harris’ swaying “Lolita.” Among other delights here are an achingly slow version of Tadd Dameron’s “If You Could See Me Now,” a real beauty that’s followed by the intricately uptempo “Lennie’s Pennies” by Lennie Tristano.