Anything But Look finds Rebello recording as a ‘solo’ artist after a hiatus of a dozen years. Not that he's been off the radar: touring with Sting and Jeff Beck has only enriched his musical palette. After such a break, the man must have had a mountain of material to record that may have led to a mighty mess. But although the album is eclectic in styles, it's a release of refreshing unity. It's held together by Rebello's personal, spiritual journey that reaches a happy resolution (of sorts), as noted by the closing titles ‘New Joy’ and ‘Lighten Up The Load’. As often occurs, though, the devil gets the best tunes, notably ‘Dark’, with its swirling, neurotic theme, illuminated by a deliriously beautiful vocals from Alicia Carrol. Indeed, all the vocals are outstanding, each voice picked to fit a theme. So the soul stirrer ‘Is This How?’ is gorgeously rendered by Will Downing while the latin funk of ‘Know What You Need’ zips along beneath Omar's vocals. But it's those keys you come back to. Rebello's fave influences remain: Kenny Kirkland chordings scaffold ‘Man On The Train’; Corea's rhumba groove is never far away; while Jan Hammer's spirit inhabits the synth work, notably when Rebello elegantly entwines with Stacey on ‘With Immediate Effect’. And of course Hancock's clarity and open musical mind underwrites it all. Even as a teen prodigy, Rebello received praise for his maturity; but now in his forties, a family man and educator, as well as having that rich career to draw upon, he's produced an album that's singularly soulful. Like Kenny Garret (or indeed old boss Mr Sumner) Rebello reveals that pop, soul and complex, jazz textures are not polar opposites but joyful places on the spectrum that is simply great music.

Jazzwise spoke to Jason Rebello about the album

Twelve Years! Did you wonder whether you'd record your own material again?

Yes I did. You never really know what life will bring and I wondered if I had anything more to say. Then the idea of doing another album seemed to make sense after leaving the world of touring with high level artists and coming back to the jazz fold, as it were. Luckily, the music came to me and I also found I had something more, lyrically, to say.

What did you bring from your other projects to Anything But Look?

I learnt a lot about songs. Working with Sting and on how to stick with an idea and be prepared to make it work. I liked his analogy that his songs were like children and his job was to help bring them into the world! I see it like that too. Also, I re-discovered the Minimoog working with Jeff Beck.

You've played with some great vocalists in your time, and the vocal performances here are outstanding.

I wish I could sing, as it is such a wonderful way to communicate. But my voice is not very good, so I am always happy to work with vocalists who can help me out! If I had wanted to make life easier, I could have done a solo piano album or a jazz trio recording, but that is not what came to me musically. I enjoy many styles of music, and this is reflected in the album.

Is it good to be yourself again?

It's great being back in the jazz world! It's nice to stretch out at the piano. Also I have met and played with some fantastic younger players such as James Gardiner-Bateman, Josh Arcoleo, James Maddren, Karl Rasheed-Abel to name a few. It keeps you on your toes!

Jason Rebello launches Anything But Look at Cargo, London on 16 January 2014