“SOFT LIGHTS & SWEET MUSIC.” Gerry Mulligan/Scott...

“SOFT LIGHTS & SWEET MUSIC.” Gerry Mulligan/Scott Hamilton. Concord CJ300. Mulligan’s brawny baritone seems to bring out in Hamilton’s tenor a soul-force he has not always evinced on his own dates. All but two tunes are Mulligan originals in his classic melodic tradition. With the aid of a cohesive rhythm section (Mike Renzi, piano; Grady Tate, drums; Jay Leonhart, bass), they bring warmth and joy to every cut, reaching a peak of persuasiveness in “Port of Baltimore Blues,” which is a virtual saxophonic tennis match using the blues form as a net. 4 stars.