Now that Charlap has won a Grammy for his collaboration with Tony Bennett, we can expect some wider appreciation of just what a fine pianist he is. An unashamed traditionalist, he follows the piano trio model established by Nat Cole, Oscar Peterson and Ahmad Jamal, playing recognisable (if sometimes obscure) tunes in catchy arrangements. On paper, very retro – and how long is it since anyone recorded ‘I’ll Remember April’, let alone opened an album with it? But the touch and the dynamics soon convince you that this approach is for real, not just a pose. There’s actually quite a lot of Jamal in Charlap’s general stance, but used for musical not showbiz ends, and an overall sound reminiscent of Hank Jones or Tommy Flanagan. The work of the Washington non-brothers is exemplary – Kenny has of course worked with Jamal, and we’re well into the third track before he moves from brushes to sticks. If any other trio is playing straight down the middle like this, they’re unlikely to be doing it quite so well.