ueber-guitarist has been hinting at a studio set like this for a long time now: a solid, top-to-bottom six-string date with a crack rhythm section. Drummer was on board for the dates that produced the album, but the addition of bassist in the studio balances this equation perfectly. Interestingly, and are both former sidemen from the (albeit at different times). One thing both players have in common, and makes them so integral here, is their love of lyricism. , who has an astonishing variety of styles at his ready disposal, concentrates on it here in spades. Whether the tune is a smoking, bluesy swinger like the opener the ultramodern that graces the edge of soft but never goes there, or the edgy arpeggiattic workout in the deeply haunting read of 's is virtually singing through his instrument. His focus on sonority and lush harmonic extrapolations is given weight by his rhythm section, who dance and weave around one another as a unit. The balance of is its most startling aspect. These cats sound like they've been playing together for decades. Nuance, impression, and subtle suggestion are all incorporated in the mix for a wonderful melodic approach to modern creative . The other tune here, is given an entirely new dimension by this approach because can concentrate on 's extrapolated harmonic ideas in his solo, yet roots the entire thing in a deft, gritty, bluesy frame. This is a straight-ahead date that is full of fresh ideas and compositions, as well exciting playing that points toward a new era for , and it numbers among his finest recordings. ~ Thom Jurek