Bassist Francois Mouton teams up with his long time partner and brother Louis Moutin/dr, Christophe Monniot/as-sss and Jean-Michel Pilc/p, Manu Codjia/g for some deeply penetrating originals and a tribute. Of the latter, a “Fat’s Medley” has the leader delving into popular melodies like “Ain’t Misbehavin’” with aplomb. His fingerwork is used as penetrating intros do a number of the pieces, as “Hope Street” leads into Monniot’s warm alto, “Bliss” coalesces into some rumbling drum work and “Hell’s Kitchen” veers to some post bop for Codjia’s lithe guitar. Some hip high hat work sets the stage for a deep groove on the muscular “Exploded View,” while “Hope Street” gives room for Pilc’s genteel touch on the piano. Lot’s of rich subtlety that carries you over the finish line.