Portuguese Blue is a record that joins the talents of three jazz guitarists, Mickylee, John Stowell, and Ulf Bandgren. It is one of those "guitar summit" recordings which combines the talents of exceptional guitarists and, as such, is an inviting document. Groups consisting of three guitarists are not unheard of in jazz music but they are not very common. Duo conversations open many possibilities but trios can open even wider harmonic possibilities. Sometimes these types of records feature good playing rather than good music. The latter is really hard to produce and, thankfully, Portuguese Blue is one of those records where the good music is evident before the brilliance in the playing is recognized.

This record has a distinct naturalness about it. The musicians are unwilling to settle anywhere too familiar and that is helping it feel like a back- home get-together. This means that there is a high level of skill that is implied here from all players in order to make the music flow so easily. As a result, these three feel like cousins hanging out and just happen to make exciting and interesting tunes. Recorded in Vienna on the eve of the pandemic, and mixed and mastered on its tail end, this record's tone modulates in various forms of early guitar jazz. Obviously, they are well acquainted with the works of early jazz guitar masters such as