Hirahara plays with a compulsion that is hard to resist. Indeed, such is his rhythmic certainty, combined with his technical facility, that you wish there were more rough edges, more vulnerability, more frailty. Not that he's without tenderness: this release may kick in with the postbop energy of ‘Ruse for Blue Shoes’ but closes with a solo meditation, ‘Inverted Fountain’, that leaves you wanting more. Likewise, ‘Up Turn Out’ swings hard, with a Bill Evans feel, but Hirahara makes time stand still too on ‘Suspended’, with Oh, as ever, outstanding, Haden-like on a glowing break. Hirahara is also more emotionally complex when exploring his Japanese heritage, as on ‘Akatombo’ and the urgent title-track. But it's the poignant but pointed ‘Ringo Oiwake’ that stands out. The political argument, gently made, is less overt but more telling than on the free and assonant ‘Beyond Right and Wrong’, though the change of dynamic brings variety to the programming. Having McCaslin on board can only be a plus and his contributions are potent, most notably on the swinging stylings of ‘Points of View’ and most fierily free on ‘Unbound’.