Phil Woods can usually be counted on to record consistently explosive bop-oriented sets with his regular quintet but Astor & Elis is quite different. The altoist dedicates the performance to the singerElis Regina, the influential modern tango composerAstor Piazzollaand indirectly toDizzy Gillespie. Joined by a sextet that includes the talented cellistEric Friedlander, pianistBill CharlapandPhil Markowitzon synthesizer, Woods alternates between playing alto on Brazilian-flavored material and utilizing his clarinet forPiazzolla'smusic. The emphasis is generally on lyrical and heartfelt ballad statements with occasional heated passages;Dizzy'sCon Alma is the only jazz standard on the set. This attractive music favorably shows off Woods' versatility.