** Benny Green

KALEIDOSCOPE

(Blue Note)

Benny Green is one of the most sincere, talented, and driven of the younger traditional (i.e., bebop-oriented) pianists. He earned his spurs with meticulous work in the bands of Art Blakey, Freddie Hubbard, and Betty Carter. His Oscar Peterson precision and chops attracted him to veteran bassist Ray Brown, in whose trio he was featured from 1992 to '96. Green shows all the master moves at the piano, and he commands a fine sense of orchestration, integrating keyboard with other voices.

Here he works well with top-notch rhythm mates Ron Carter (bass) and Lewis Nash (drums), especially on the title tune. The fine group also includes alto-saxophonist Antonio Hart and guitarist Russ Malone, with sit-in features for saxophonist Stanley Turrentine, including a genial quartet bopper ("Central Park South") and a duet ("You're My Melody"). But overall the original compositions don't stand up well. "Thursday's Lullaby," a gentle ditty in 6/8, draws from "Bye Bye Baby," and "Sexy Mexy" sounds like '60s Grant Green; neither gathers much momentum or makes a statement that isn't 100 percent derivative. "Patience," a very understated ballad, sounds introverted and glum. "My Girl Bill" just chugs along with amiable abandon.

-- Fred Bouchard