Antwerp

Drummer John Bishop forms a trio with Bram Weijters/p and Piet Verbist/b for a mix of originals and some jazz covers. The leader shows crisp sticks on boppers like "Ruchsichtslos" and the dramatic modal "Bull" which give Weijters plenty of room to move. Verbist digs in like a man with a pick ax on

'The Same Melody" and links arms with Bishop on a souped up "For Less Than Nothing". Bishops' brushes assuage the lyrical "Pointing At The Moon" and guide Weijtetrs' classy ivories on a glowing read of "Trip The Light Fantastic". A take of Carla Bley's "Lawns" is particularly melodic, as Bishop and Weijters converse like flickering candles, while the pianist taps into his inner Tyner on the rolling "Contemplative". No waffling about on this album from Belgium.