's ascent in the world of improvised music rendered unavoidable his meeting with , a pianist who has a rich history of collaborations with drummers and enjoys playing drums in her spare time. The opening piece recorded at features the two of them in a long and multifarious conversation during which constantly challenges , whose stamina is essential to the music's focus. The other three improvisations come from a different performance that took place at and for which they were joined by one of 's mentors, tenor saxophonist . His addition does not disturb the chemistry the two other protagonists have already established and he is clearly careful to support their rapport. His laid-back demeanor is deceiving, though, and he can subtly inject new ideas or suggest new directions. The pianist also knows when to step back and let her two cohorts have a private moment. Her trademark translucent and fleet runs, her bouncy progressions, and her forays into South African territory reminiscent of are delightful; she can also be whimsical when she plays hide and seek with at the end of The quieter passages certainly betray her European origins, but are not a distraction from this otherwise energetic, soulful, and pleasurable set. ~ Alain Drouot