With clean, melodic alto saxophone floating lyrically over a string orchestra's backing, "Desmond Blue(Desmond with Strings)is a wonderful showcase for one of the most tasteful instrumentalists of the West Coast "cool" jazz school. The strings never seem obtrusive; instead, the backing seems to accentuate Desmond's solos. He weaves melodically over these standards, lilting over the strings, and trading solos with the always-incredible Jim Hall's. When Hall takes the lead, his guitar work echoes Desmond's understated leads. "I Should Care" and "Late Lament"(one of two Desmond compositions) are two of the strongest offerings.