So, what, or who, is the soulful pianist Bruce Barth dedicating this trio album to? In the liner notes, Barth mentions the memory of a dear friend Montez Coleman, but truth be told, with bassist Vincente Archer and drummer Montez Coleman, the sounds and styles are dedicated to a collection of inspirations.
Starting off is an upbeat tilt of the ivories to George Perry in “George’s Dance” which has Barth and company tapping into their inner Three Sounds on a gospel strut. McCoy Tyner gets a tribute on the bold and dramatic modal “Let’s Go” with Coleman snapping out the sticks, while “That’s How It Sometimes Goes” is a classy dedication to the glassy Tommy Flanagan, with Barth glowing through the intro. The team gives a “poinciana” pulse to the spacious and hip “Better Days” and Archer is dreamy during “In Memoria” acknowledging George Floyd among others. Grace and lyricism prevail, with the album being an inspiration to being inspired itself.