The latest releases reviewed.

TAIKO SAITO/NIKO MEINHOLD Koko Pirouet ****

This vibes/marimba-piano duo inhabit a world part jazz, part classical, with such deft and seamless mutual understanding that its naturalness belies the skill and musicianship behind it. In mood it's somewhat reminiscent of Corea/Hancock's Crystal Silence, with the qualifications that that implies; delicate, often quite beautiful, doesn't over-reach, adeptly invokes a mood or scene, but is sometimes a bit precious. And evocation doesn't always sit easily with structural development. Yet that isn't the point of this frequently lovely music; at its best it works impressively within its own terms, especially Rain on Withered Flowers, Choral and the splendid duetting and interchange of leads on The Elf and Skin-Coloured Clouds. And, somehow, despite the reservations, it grows on you. www.pirouet-records.com Ray Comiskey