Reginald R. Robinson - Strongman (CD)

All Music Guide

Robinson demonstrates his mastery of ragtime and his own voice on the 22 tunes that comprise his Delmark debut. Whether you're a rag fan or not, hearing Robinson deconstruct, rework and smoothly conclude "Maple Leaf Rag," "Spring Rag" and "The Original Slow Drag" is impressive. He's also accomplished at boogie-woogie, blues and even straight jazz, but uses these only in bits and pieces as stylistic relief, along with incorporating bits and pieces of familiar pop tunes into his rags. What's more amazing is that only Scott Joplin's "Maple Leaf Rag" is a cover; the other 21 numbers are Robinson originals, and he's nailed the vintage style without turning the songs into museum pieces.

- Ron Wynn, All Music Guide