Pianist Jeremy Ledbetter leads a fresh sounding trio with bassist Rich Brown and drummer Larnell Lewis from Snarky Puppy. Ledbetter has a warm and melodic confidence, evidenced by his two solo pieces, the intimate “Gift Shop” and richly textured and dramatic “The Tightrope Walker.” With his bandmates, he mixes classical chords with Thelonious Monk angularity on the title track and builds the band up to a strong climax on “Amancer” as well as taking the team to a Caribbean pulse on “Mais Um” and producing some exciting Afro Cuban pulsations on “The Pepper Drinker.” Lewis is strong and snappy, flexing but not overdoing it throughout and Brown is a rich groove maker. Modern and accessible.