Combining piano and “ampi-celeste”, Eyolf Dale leads a trio of Audun Kleive/dr and bassist/saw man Per Zanussi on a collection of originals on this lyrical and creative album. At times, his touch is reminiscent of Eric Satie, as on the gentle “Behind 315”, mixing a celeste-sounding atmosphere while a melding of Monk and Brubeck takes place on the clippetty-clop supplied by Kleive on the fun “Forward From Here”. Dale and Zanussi create an “I Heard It Through The Grapevine” groove to the soulful Norwegian piece “Ess” while the bassist delivers a rich solo on the pastoral “How Could It Be”. Classical tones are produced by the leader over soft brushes on “Norther Brewer” and the meditative “The Pondering” as you feel like you’re reading into the leader’s mind and pensive emotions. Intimate joys.