Abstract Quantities

A lot of classical and progressive rock motifs run through this CD in a set that creates quiet beauty out of simple figures in a way that suggests the music of Kenny Wheeler. Chad McCullough plays sweeping, melodic trumpet over stomping rock rhythms on "Billions" while "Mr Rubato" has the ethereal sweep of "In A Silent Way" as Bram Weijters' piano spills out under McCullough's gorgeous sound and John Bishop's drums storm in the back.

Weijters runs through a Bach prelude relentlessly on electric piano on "Same Prelude" with trumpet gliding along the top while "Same But Different" has the entire quartet going over the rhythm more slowly with Weijters on regular piano. The band opens up out of a light classical theme on "Hesitation", creates a lovely waltzing groove on "Little Song" and raises its controlled forward motion into a brisk trot on "Acceptance Or Denial". If you like the more thoughtful side of The Bad Plus or Radiohead you might take to this music's gentle beauty.