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"Guitarist Joe Pass was unsure if Blues for 2, a duet recording with tenor saxophonist Zoot Sims, would work. 'It would be a little unusual for me, since I do not come from the 4-to-a-bar rhythm guitar school.' Though he doesn't storm the bar like Freddie Green, Pass's comping and solos are so elegant and effortless that he makes it sound easy. As Pass swoops, supports, and soars, Sims follows suit, the two intertwining like climbers on some rockface, like vertical Twister." — "Revinylized" Ken Micallef, Stereophile, October 2025   

 "To quote Pass, 'guitar and tenor saxophone have always been a good combination. I think that being in the same register it's a nice blend, and a mellow sound.' Indeed, and that's exemplified by the chemistry between these two jazz legends. The easy-going warm tone of Sims' sax and luxurious chord sound of Pass's guitar. The two musicians are in the room and Pass' guitar -especially with that beguiling-sounding Analog Relax EX500 cartridge - has never sounded better. Everything just flows effortlessly, and I love their renditions of standards such as 'Dindi' and 'Pennies from Heaven.'" — Myles B. Astor, 2025 Positive Feedback Writer's Choice Awards. Read the entire review here.

Joe Pass observed in his notes for this album that when he was a young man he determined that his ideal tenor saxophone companion would have a rich tone, harmonic wisdom, respect of the melody, and the will to swing. That figures; Pass was describing his own qualities, and in 1982 when the time came for the guitarist and Zoot Sims to record as a duo, it became clear after about six bars that this was a perfect artistic match.

Pass was a supremely natural player whose solos swung from the first note. Sims was also in his later years a master of lyrical expression in ballads. His lyricism here, notably in "Remember," is complemented by his relaxed urgency in the faster pieces. Pass accompanies Sims beautifully and solos with his customary ingenuity.

Mastered by Matthew Lutthans at The Mastering Lab from the original analog master tape. Pressed at Quality Record Pressings for superior sound quality, and housed in a Stoughton Printing tip-on single pocket jacket. — (via Label)

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Although guitarist Joe Pass recorded many unaccompanied solo albums, he made relatively few dates as part of a duo. This reissue of a session with tenor-saxophonist Joe Pass works quite well because Zoot Sims was a natural swinger who did not need a full rhythm section to push him. His playing on the selections (mainly standards including "Dindi," "Poor Butterfly," "Pennies From Heaven" and "I Hadn't Anyone Till You") is as heated and lyrical as usual. Pass also warms up quickly to the situation (Sims must have been easy to accompany) and takes many fine solos of his own. The pair collaborated on the opening "Blues for 2" and "Takeoff" which wraps up the highly enjoyable set. — (via All Music)

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180-gram vinyl
Mastered by Matthew Lutthans at The Mastering Lab from the original analog tape
Pressed at Quality Record Pressings
Housed in Stoughton Printing tip-on jacket

Vinyl Tracklist
A1 Blues For 2
A2 Dindi
A3 Pennies From Heaven
A4 Poor Butterfly
B1 (Whad Did I Do To Be So) Black And Blue
B2 I Hadn't Anyone Till You
B3 Takeoff
B4 Remember

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Label: Pablo Records / Analogue Productions
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, 180g
Reissued: 2025 / Originally Released: 1983
Genre: Jazz, Blues

File under: Audiophile Jazz
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