Saxophone virtuoso Tommy Smith reveals himself to be a consummate ballad player on this laid back selection of classics by two of the most justly celebrated composers in jazz history: Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn. The eleven classics contained on this recording - five by Ellington, four by Strayhorn and two collaborative pieces - include some of the loveliest songs to grace twentieth-century music. The cleverly chosen title track The Sound Of Love, written by Charlie Mingus in tribute to Ellington, is a rarely played gem. Smith fully respects the two composers' original intentions, whilst utilizing shading, color and texture to add a further dimension of warmth to these familiar themes. Made in New York, with many tracks recorded in just one take, the album peaked at #20 in the American Gavin Jazz Chart upon release. Smith is accompanied by a trio of seasoned musicians: Kenny Barron (a six-time recipient of the Jazz Journalists Association 'Best Pianist' award), bassist Peter Washington and Billy Drummond on drums. Originally released in 1998 The Sound of Love has been re-issued as part of Linn's ECHO series which offers a second chance to enjoy the best of the label's award-winning catalog. Tommy Smith is a leading light in European jazz and one of the finest saxophonists of his generation. An internationally recognized soloist and bandleader he has worked with Chick Corea, Kenny Wheeler and collaborated with Scotland's Poet Laureate Edwin Morgan. From his debut recording with Blue Note through his numerous recordings with Linn, Smith has always enjoyed critical as well as audience acclaim. Kenny Barron's unmatched ability to mesmerize audiences with his elegant playing, sensitive melodies and infectious rhythms inspired the LA Times to name him 'one of the top jazz pianists in the world' and Jazz Weekly to call him 'the most lyrical piano player of our time'. Barron consistently wins the jazz critics and readers polls, including Downbeat, Jazz Times and Jazziz magazines.