Harbinger

Every era has bands and artists that create seismic shifts in style. The Bad Plus came around in the 1990s to formulate a new type of piano trio, going away from the "mow, blow and go" of standards to a more cohesive unit. Here's a trio that drinks deeply from these waters.

The trio of Oscar Rossignoli/p, Matt Booth/b and Brad Webb/dr converse back and forth on team composed pieces. A dash of Monkish bop gets elliptical on "When the Internet Breaks" the team skips along on "Secrets." A couple of tunes such as "Connie" and "Sweet Teeth" focus on rich grooves that Rossignoli takes to clever paths, while the pianist is pretty and fluid during "Loft Spaces" and stately during "Nepotism." Joyful skipping of the drums on 'Secrets" and a rumble on "Words That Begin With Seven" have the gents jabbing back and forth, while the title piece is a lovely and lyrical glide. Conversations of note.