Recorded four years ago but released only recently, this intriguing album unites some exceptional talents, including composer…

Recorded four years ago but released only recently, this intriguing album unites some exceptional talents, including composer/arranger Sambeat, pianist Brad Mehldau, tenor Mark Turner, guitarist Kurt Rosenwinkel, the quirky trumpeter Mike Leonhart and drummer Jordi Rossy. Despite a work-in-progress feel to the solos - Turner was still in the 'Trane station, Rosenwinkel oscillated stylistically and Mehldau subordinated his individuality to the demands of the leader's music - there's much to enjoy. Mixing his native Iberian musical culture with virtually unadulterated bop, Sambeat's scores combine contrapuntal clarity with complexity and, with his Phil Woods-inspired alto and Rossy's impressive drumming, confer a kind of exuberant unity on the results. Turner and Mehldau, especially, have moved on, but no matter.