Dusko's second enja date shows him, as before, in excellent form, with nonpareil New Yorkers (Kenny Barron, Ray Drummond) and old pal Alvin Queen on drums. (This Paris resident and Goykovich co-led a quintet with Sal Nistico in the '80s.) Although Goykovich has lived in Germany since his '20s, he bases some tunes on Slovenian folk melodies, which are especially evident on two ballads (out of four) that neatly interstice five originals: "No Love Without Tears" and "In the Sign of Libra." Ralph Moore and Abe Burton alternate sax roles on all tracks but "Tears" and "Day by Day," which also showcases Dusko's Milesian Harmon-muted musings. These and his solo work in general reflect "bebop city" -- less Broadway bright lights than the chiaroscuro corners of the West Village.

-- Fred Bouchard