The Italian pianist is a sensitive rhythm player, a strong soloist and writes moody tunes that are great to stretch out on. His latest album, dedicated to his son Evan, swings from first to last – hardly surprising with Ira Coleman and Jack DeJohnette in the rhythm section – while supple ebb-andflow dynamics make a one-off session sound like the product of a road-tested band. The set opens with Faraó and Lovano prowling round each other on the riff-based slow burn ‘Another Way’ and closes with a blast of uptempo samba. The title track and ‘Riflessioni’ gain an extra texture from Judi Silvano's wordless vocals and the theme of ‘Giant Steps’, played once at the end of the track, comes at such an acute angle that on first hearing it's a surprise. Faraó's clean, light touch runs and suspended chords are rooted in Herbie Hancock but sound freshly minted and Joe Lovano is at his gruff-toned inventive best. But the album's greatest strength is a band that gel from first to last, urged on by the hiss and ping of drummer Jack DeJohnette at the top of his game.