Pianist Leslie Pintchik has been impressing me the past year. Here, she continues her winning streak with Steve Wilson/as-ss, ron Horton/tp-fh, CScott Hardy/b, Michael Sarin/dr and Satoshi Takeishi/perc as she mixes and matches as well as builds on the basic trio format. Her touch is confident yet romantic, and does some wonderful interplay with Hardy on “I’ve Grown Accustomed to Her Face” and a nifty “Ready!” while her fingers get clever and elliptical on “I’d Turn Back If I Were You.” Gentle grooves on “With You In Mind” and hipster bopping “Luscious” feature Wilson’s warm soprano, while Horton’s autumnal horn is on fine display on the friendly and cruising “Ripe.” Sarin’s drum work keeps the blood circulating all throughout and his cymbal works like a jogger’s pulse on the lyrical “Sparkle.” Impressive post bop sounds all around.
Pintch Hard Records