1989 · Album
A Little Pleasure
Recorded 1981 · Xanadu Records · Produced by Not specified
Two Voices in Intimate Conversation
Monterose and Flanagan trade phrases like old friends who know exactly when to listen.
This is the sound of two musicians alone in a room together, no bass, no drums, just tenor saxophone and piano. J. R. Monterose plays with a warm, slightly breathy tone that sits close to the piano, and Tommy Flanagan responds with spare, conversational voicings that never rush. The album moves at a natural pace — nothing feels hurried or overstated. Monterose can swing hard when he wants to, but mostly he explores the middle register of his horn, letting silence do as much work as sound. Flanagan's touch is light and melodic; he comps without cluttering the space between them.
Originally recorded and released in 1981, this is a straightforward session that doesn't announce itself as important. It's the kind of record you put on when you want to hear musicians thinking out loud. Monterose spent much of his career in relative obscurity, and this duet captures him in a setting where his playing speaks clearly without competition. Flanagan, by contrast, was already well-established and appeared on countless sessions; here he functions as an equal partner rather than a supporting voice. The two move through standards and original material with the ease of musicians who understand restraint.
This won't change your life, but it rewards attention. If you value jazz that prioritizes conversation over display, and you're already comfortable with Flanagan's work, it's worth tracking down. The 1989 CD reissue made it more accessible than the original vinyl release had been.
Who's playing
Tommy Flanaganpiano
J. R. Monterosetenor saxophone
