Time Change

Pianist Milan Verbist has a touch and style that feels like it has imbibed deeply the waters of Brad Mehldau, thoroughly modern in harmonies yet linked to the vintage past. Teamed with ToonRumen on bass and drummer Jens Meijer, he mixes originals with a wide palette of covers, ranging from Bach to Ornette Coleman. Of the former, his chords are dark and spacious on the ruminating title piece while showing some Monkish festivities around Meijer's high hat on "No, I Haven't". His own "Brigitte's Waltz" is quite elegant setting the tone for his baroque'd intro to Bach's "Saraband". The trio is graceful around the leader's intro to Gary Peacock's "Flutter Step" while the fingers get nimble as Meijer snaps to attention on Coleman's "Happy House". A fresh voice