Pianist Steve Allee mixes seven originals and several covers on this mostly straight-ahead trio date with bassist Bill Moring and drummer Tim Horner. Dragonfly is the infectious title track, initially a brisk tune built upon a repeated motif, with Moring featured in its loping, bluesy centerpiece. His lush, laconic treatment of Leonard Bernstein's Somewhere is a subtle affair, while his breezy, amusing treatment of If I Were a Bell honors the late Oscar Peterson as a part of his Dedication Suite, adding Conversation with Bill and Thaddeus, respectively saluting Bill Evans and Thad Jones. Tenor saxophonist Rich Perry, a veteran of the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra and a fine leader in his own right, is a guest on the Cuban-flavored Bus to Belmopan and the upbeat funky blues Yummy. Many listeners frown upon exploration of tunes from modern rock, as the songs often are too banal to work in a jazz setting, but Allee's adaptation of Coldplay's XY works rather well. The only misfire is his somewhat monotonous original Hip Factor, in which Allee incorporates electric keyboards and adds alto saxophonist Rob Dixon. ~ Ken Dryden, Rovi

1		Bus to Belmopan (feat. Rich Perry)
2		Dragonfly
3		Somewhere
4		Yummy (feat. Rich Perry)
5		Morning Glory
6		X & Y
7		Conversation With Bill
8		Thaddeus
9		If I Were a Bell
10		Hip Factor (feat. Rob Dixon)

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