Latest releases reviewed

SALVATORE BONAFEDE
For the Time Being
 CamJazz
****
A decent pianist and a gifted composer, Bonafede composed a series of distinctive, quirky tunes for this CD, drawing on diverse sources; South African townships, film (two from Nino Rota), theatre, flamenco, Monk and even a hint of Italian bel canto. They provoke some wonderful playing from a stellar sextet; tenor Joe Lovano is magnificent, especially on the elegaic Ad morten festinamus and the infectiously buoyant Enjoy Your Life, while drummer Paul Motian is idiosyncratic perfection throughout. Adding colour is the luminously beautiful sound of Adam Rogers's guitar. Mark Dresser (bass) and Michele Rabbia complete an excellent rhythm section on an album which reveals more pleasures with each listening. www.harmoniamundi.com

EZRA WEISS
Peresphone
Umoja
****
As a writer, pianist Weiss, not yet 30, has a distinctive persona, bop-rooted but with a contemporary perspective. His attractive, deceptively simple pieces have character, the ensemble voicings beautifully balanced, the performances' proportions right; nothing's overdone. He gets a lot from the sextet format, using Michael Philip Mossman (trumpet/flugelhorn), Antonio Hart (alto/flute), Kelly Roberge (tenor/clarinet/bass clarinet) and a rhythm section which includes Billy Hart (drums). While both Mossman and Roberge are capable (if not markedly individual) soloists, Weiss is particularly well served by Hart on alto, who gives everything an edge when he takes centre stage, and by Billy Hart and his deputy, Jason Brown. But it's his writing which lifts this fine session to another level. www.umojaproductions.com

DAVE BRUBECK
London Flat, London Sharp
Telarc
***
Though age cannot wither, nor custom stale, a personal antipathy to Brubeck's piano, this is one of the best albums of the latter stages of his long career. His working quartet, with Bobby Militello (alto/flute), Michael Moore (bass) and Randy Jones (drums), delves into the vast library of his own compositions for a relaxed, enjoyable and unpretentious example of the quartet in good form. It's also a reminder of the fact that he writes quality material. The Time of Our Madness is a lovely tango, Unisphere an elegent piece in five, Cassandra an exuberant, slightly Jewish tune, and his solo piano reading of Ballad of the Rhine has real quality. Best of all is Yes, We All Have Our Cross to Bear, on which the group grooves impressively. www.musicconnection.org.uk