December avenue Tomasz Stanko New York Quartet (2017)

Four years after the landmark album "Wislawa", the great Polish trumpeter Tomasz Stankos New York Quartet returns with another masterful recording. Stanko here encourages spirited improvisation to flower around his characteristically melancholic and soulful themes, and all players are presented to best advantage. New band member Reuben Rogers best-known for his work with Charles Lloyd is a splendid addition, establishing a profound understanding with Cuban-born pianist David Virelles and drummer Gerald Cleaver. JazzTimes reflected on the strengths of the individual players: Stanko has never had a piano player like Virelles. When his moments came, he configured his own lyrical domain within the world of a Stanko song. For that matter, Stanko has never had a bassist and drummer like Rogers and Cleaver, with their hard edges and their volatile energy. Early reviews are suggesting that this may be his very best album to date. According to UK website Marlbank, it is Stankos "Kind of Blue". (bron: ECM)