You know a guy’s got potential if Quincy Jones is supporting him, and Andreas Varady doesn’t disappoint on this latest album. He works as more of a teammate than leader with his band including his dad Bandi on bass, brother Adrian behind the drums, Benito Gonzales handles the piano and saxist Radovan Tariska taking on the Metheny-esque compositions.
The album has a few interspersed passages, such as a dramatic voice and tenor sax on “Lost Memories” and guitar effects on “The Time is Now” and the closing “Patience.” Varady has a lyrical feel to his solos, with exotic harmonics on the upbeat “Radio Joint” and dramatic “Follow Me,” but he gives ample space to his compatriots, as Tariska gives a rich opening foray on the former and Gonzalez’s rich Mehldau-harmonized extrapolations on the latter. The team is frisky as bass and piano ricochet off the walls on “The Quest” and the band gallops on “Radiska” and more tender moments being exposed on a pastoral “Story” and a tender but forward leaning “Her Dream.” The band feels like a band that has worked together, and with family members, probably eaten together many a day, and the cohesiveness bubbles over on this alluring session.