On , trumpeter and composer 's third offering for , his stellar quintet with saxophonist , pianist , bassist , and drummer is intact, having been together for nearly six years. That said, where his first two offerings for the label were exceptional exercises in on-the-edge post-bop and modal jazz, looks all the way back to 2003's for comparison -- one that reveals just how far has come as a composer, a soloist, and an arranger. is a collection of (mostly) blues and ballads. He wrote all but two of the album's eight tunes: the standard "Moondrift" (on which the band is fronted by vocalist ) and a lively reading of ' "Sweet Rita Suite, Pt. 2: Her Soul." and his band recorded this set in a single day, and had nuanced it all live before hitting the studio. On display here are intimacy, nuance, elegance, and an adventurous communication that is nearly symbiotic -- traits not normally associated with ballads or blues (these days, anyway). The frontline of and is in perfect sync throughout, whether the two are playing counterpoint ("The Ballad of Ichabod Crane") or in unison ("The Story"). The exchange between ballads and blues is fluid. The former is an example of both existing side by side because of 's structural harmonic development and 's confident pianism. On "The Tempest," push , who responds with flurries of notes and then the horns. The rhythm section's freedom is balanced by the horn solos and brief, contrapuntal head. On "Moondrift," is able to extract from her delivery every unnecessary utterance; is known for his sharp sense of economy, and rises to the challenge with a lovely, disciplined vibrato that allows the band to create shades of meaning behind her. The set's longest tune, "What's Wrong Is Right," commences with a slightly dissonant, -esque harmonic statement and features excellent solos from , , and ; drive them relentlessly, all the while swinging like mad. is another high-water mark for and company, and an exercise in taking the tradition and giving it a thoroughly modern twist without sacrificing its heart. ~ Thom Jurek