Pianist and arranger James Francies is quietly working on creating a new direction in jazz, melding the best from classic mainstream and bringing in a dash of modern R&B with rich textures and harmonies. His core trio of bassist Burniss Travis and drummer Jeremy Dutton are still definitely heard from here, as on the virtuosic driving of “Levitate”, but he brings in new tones with Immanuel Wilkins/as, Joel Ross/vib, Mike Morenog and vocalists Elliott Skinner, Peyton and Bilal. These guests mix and match for some jazzy hip hopping with vibes on “Where We Stand” while a take of “My Favorite Things” has palpable textures as well as searing sax work veering around Ross’ mallets. Haunting voices and effects meld on “Oasis” with a dash of rap and dreamy soundscapes mke up “Rise water”, and Peyton gives urban attitude on sweaty “Blown Away”. Heavenly voices and alto saxes are majestic on “ Transformation” and clever mixes of strings and voices create a panorama on “Still Here”, with a wrenching social message delivered on “Freedmen’s Town”. Francies sounds convincing on all colors of the musical prism, showing jazz chops, social consciousness and a heart to communicate.