Steve Masakowski - What It Was (1994/2019)

Guitar Steve Masakowski has a guitar sound that falls somewhere between Jim Hall and John Scofield. His laidback music (ten of the dozen songs on his Blue Note CD are his originals) is generally unpredictable, moody and full of strong solos. Masakowski's guitar largely dominates his CD but there are a few good spots for Rick Margitza's tenor. Frankly Masakowski at this point was a stronger player than composer but several of the selections (particularly the mysterious "Budapest" and a couple of bossa novas) stick in one's mind.