Spike Robinson, Rob Mullins / The Odd Couple

AllMusic Review by Scott Yanow

Since keyboardist Rob Mullins in the late 1980s was best known for his poppish crossover recordings and Spike Robinson is a bop/swing player in the Four Brothers tradition, this matchup (which also includes bassist Fred Hamilton and drummer Jill Fredericksen) might at first seem a bit odd. However, all of the musicians were based in Denver at the time; Mullins had gigged with Robinson, and he was flexible enough to play standards. Spike sounds typically fine on such tunes as "In Love, In Vain," "Melancholy Baby," "Street of Dreams" and "I Love You." Although Mullins does double on synthesizer, he fits in quite well.

Spike Robinson, Rob Mullins The Odd Couple

1 In Love, In Vain 00:00 2 Melancholy Baby 07:39 3 You're Blase 12:49 4 Last Resort 19:41 5 Street Of Dreams 27:00 6 A Beautiful Friendship 33:20 7 Nancy (With The Laughing Face) 38:42 8 Alone Together 44:46 9 I Love You 51:24 10 Theme 56:24 Bass – Fred Hamilton Drums – Jill Fredericksen Piano, Synthesizer – Rob Mullins Tenor Saxophone – Spike Robinson

Recorded in Denver, Colorado August 11, 1988