This week's jazz releases

KEN PEPLOWSKI/ALAN BARNES

Doodle Oodle

Woodville***

There’s a feelgood factor about this straight-ahead session that has as much to do with the fine John Pearce-Alec Dankworth-Martin Drew rhythm section, and the thought given to repertoire and preparation, as it has to do with the compatability of the principals.

Both Barnes (clarinet/alto/tenor/ baritone) and Peplowski (clarinet/ tenor) belong to the swinging, mainstream tradition without being totally confined by it. Here, though they don't push the idiom's boundaries, their programme includes some seldom-played pieces, such as Titter Pipes(once played by Goodman's big band on a Russian tour), Doodle Oodleand Two Funky People(from Sims and Cohn), and interesting lines on familiar changes such as Shady Side, Hanid, Bennie's Penniesand Vignette.The instrumental doubling gives a good range of colours on a solid session that fans of the idiom should love. www.propernote.co.uk

JULIAN & ROMAN WASSERFUHR

Upgraded In Gothenburg

ACT***

At 20 and 22, respectively, Julian (trumpet) and Roman (piano) Wasserfuhr are among the best young talents in German jazz. Their roots are in bop – Julian has clearly listened to Chet Baker and Lee Morgan – but there's a touch of Arve Henriksen in his approach, and Roman's piano has wider references. Yet, spurred on by Lars Danielsson (bass/cello) and Anders Kjellberg (drums), they handle the complex Balkan rhythms of their own Dušan, the blues bop of Geno the Shoeshineand the elegant 3/4 of Danielsson's more contemporary Traveller's Defensewith equal aplomb. Considerable assets on an album of measured lyricism and spacious, understated beauty are guests Nils Landgren (trombone) and Magnus Lindgren (tenor/flute), with Ida Sands contributing two vocals. Throughout, the young co-leaders show a maturity beyond their years, while suggesting there is much more to come. www.actmusic.com