This is trombonist Herwig's tenth leader album for Criss Cross and the playing really is as good as it gets. At 56, he's arguably the best on his instrument in jazz today (though, of the younger players, Michael Dease is showing particular promise) – a great smooth-as-butter sound, strong rhythmic sense and constantly interesting harmonic ideas – and the empathy between the three horns is exceptional. Butman, 54, is a very active Russian, who has his own label and jazz club in Moscow after spending nine years in the States. He's a real swinger with a soulful booting sound that at times recalls that of Joe Henderson. There's similar empathy in the rhythm section – inventive Kikoski, super-solid Davis and continually innovative drumming by Jeff Watts – which never stops swinging. All eight originals are of interest, six by Herwig and two by Butman.

Herwig's title tune is a gorgeous ballad. A slow modern jazz tango, with Butman's solo outstanding.

‘King of the Mountain’ is one of the best of the several mid-tempo tunes, as is the opening modal ‘Falling Out’ by Butman and the earthy closer ‘Big O's Blues’ (for Orrin Evans). A word, too, for Butman's ‘Samba de Igor’. Another unpretentious straightahead gem from Gerry Teekens’ label.