Almost two decades have elapsed since the release of this gorgeous album, an object lesson in the art of the duo from saxophonist Archie Shepp and pianist Mal Waldron. The latter has since passed away but the former has found a new keyboard partner in Jason Moran, so the reissue of Left Alone (and first time on vinyl) is a poignant reminder of the historical lineage the new incumbent is boldly upholding.

Waldron was perhaps best known as the accompanist of legends such as Eric Dolphy and Charles Mingus, but his work with Billie Holiday was seminal. Indeed, the session is in her honour, and the choice of anthems such as ‘Nice Work If You Can Get It’, ‘I Only Have Eyes For You’, ‘Lady Sings The Blues’ and the iconic title track, co-written by Lady Day and Waldron, is a reminder of the immeasurable influence she exerted on musicians before and after her untimely death. Shepp and Waldron are superbly poised, striking an artful balance between expressivity and subtlety, adding individual flourish to the melodies while respecting their beauty – especially on the sublime ‘Porgy’- and thus bringing deep emotion to the fore. Waldron really had a very special touch on the keyboard – resonantly commanding yet also able to evoke a distinct fragility – while Shepp moves from deeply sensual to gruffly bluesy, in line with his role models Ben Webster and Ike Quebec.

The net result is an engrossing journey through ballad territory by two masters who, like few others, conveyed all the romanticism and nostalgia of jazz, its many lived-in tales of love, loss and longing.