Pianist Oscar Perez mixes it up between a trio and quartet on this well rounded mix of originals and standards. He shows his Bill Evansy touch and romanticism as he interplays with Thomson Kneeland/b and Alvester Garnett/dr on “Just Everything” while letting Garnett’s c ymbal gently drive Perez’s warm touch on “The Nearness of You.” Perez brings a Cuban flavor to “Round Midnight” in a fascinatingly fresh way” and when alto saxist Bruce Williams joins in for the simmering “Mushroom City” an extra hue brings rich textures. Williams also adds some middle eastern exoticism as if he just landed in Marrakesh on “Sneak Charm” while the team glows orange embers on “Prepare a Place For Me.” Not a wrong turn here.
Myna Records