Pianist Greg Reiten leads a rich trio of Jack Daro/b and Dean Koba/dr that shows rich interplay and composing skills. All off the pieces clock inat under 6 minutes, so the focus is on clarity and arrangements, and it works well here. Reiten has a rich touch, not unlike Fred Hersch and swings with grey matter on “Hindemith” and the bouncy “Lines.” Koba’s cymbals lead the way on the pulsating nocturne “Momentum” and his brushes coax along the title track.
Reiten gives an elegant read of Herbie Hancock’s “Little One” and a rich serenade with Bobby Hurtcherson’s “When You Are Near,” giving a solo aria on the classy and panoramic read of Aaron Copeland’s “Four Piano Blues.” He’s got the heart of a bopper, as he shows on “Man Overboard” by the dna of a romantic, particularly on “Epilogue.” A nice combination!