, with multi-instrumentalist and drummer , is one of two simultaneously released trio outings by for . (The other is with electric guitarist .) Both of 's sidemen have long been in his orbit. He and have worked together since the 1970s in various settings, most notably in with and . has been one of the bassist's most frequent drummers since 2000. That said, is a long-overdue sequel to this trio's June 2000 date, . In addition to bass, plays shakuhachi and trombonium (a compact version of the trombone with similar timbre); plays trumpet, alto and tenor saxes, clarinet, and flute. The music offered here travels outside often but almost never with jagged edges. composed these five long pieces especially for this date. Opener "Groove 77" finds using a mute on his horn, hovering about the rhythm section's airy swing. The trumpeter evokes the spirit of ' first quintet in delivering sweet modal melodies alongside open harmonics, as strolls around him and dialogues in pulses with , who underscores and illuminates with soft rim shots, skittering snare, and strident bass drum. After 's brief, beefy solo, brings out his tenor and swings it home. On the title cut, 's trombonium engages interplay and dialogue with 's flute amid 's bumping, muted tom-toms. They explore an elusive succession of tones delivered in attractive call-and-response cadences, not unlike those heard on vintage recordings from the 1980s, albeit with a more focused and pronounced rhythmic approach. 's rich, woody bassline introduces "Happiness" before 's tenor enters with introspective lyricism atop 's whispering, snare-forward rhythms. That is, until pulls out his bow for a frenetic yet oddly warm solo. His bandmates respond by picking up the tempo to push it over the line. "Painted Scarf" emerges as an abstract ballad inspired by Native American and Asian sources. The shakuhachi and clarinet entwine in open space as punctuates their interaction sparsely with toms and snare. Finally, "A Curley Russell" (after bebop bassist , who died in 1986) offers deep, bluesy vanguard bop. There is glorious soloing from on alto and tenor, and killer kit work from anchors it all; he transfers the music from its source inspiration in bop, then presents it for outside exploration with glee. The band delivers deep, swinging, avant blues with surprise -- and centered, advanced technique. offers a canny display of group intuition and creativity with impeccable balance and taste, as one of the year's truly sublime trio outings. ~ Thom Jurek