Dameronia was a 1980s all-star group dedicated to the performance of music by Tadd Dameron, and led, initially, by drummer Philly Joe Jones. Austrian drummer Reiter organised this American-European ensemble as its latter-day equivalent for a two-week tour, this Ubuntu release taped before an appreciative German audience.

The presence of New York trumpeter Rotondi, now based in Austria, and Oatts, artist in residence at Amsterdam's Conservatory, doubtless gave impetus to the group's creation, adding a touch of star quality, although Reiter's fellow Europeans are no slouches either.

Adapted from the original arrangements penned by Dameron for the Gillespie and Eckstine orchestras, the charts are voiced as if for a mini-big band, the ensemble churn on each of the nine tracks prompting a round of solos, the rhythm section supporting well. In what is a standout performance, Van Den Bergh excels on the lovely ‘If You See Me Now’, his baritone sound akin to the late Cecil Payne, the final extemporisation rich and resonant. Elsewhere, all the frontliners have their moments but it's the Italian Pozza, who lived in London for a while, who consistently catches the ear, each of his solos like a brief burst of light. Reiter gets his lengthy way on ‘Philly J.J.’, the band breezing in at intervals, Rotondi spirited and the Dolphy-inclined Oatts and Herrlich each on song. It's good to be reminded just how well Dameron's tunes work when handled by an ensemble of this quality. The closer, ‘Portrait’ is a short Mingus piece, quite solemn, with Van Den Bergh again prominent.