Pérez, Patitucci and Blade came together as Wayne Shorter's rhythm section in 2000. Children of the Light is the first time they have collaborated on record sans Shorter. Pérez the virtuoso pianist whose swirling energy and creativity can be literally stunning in live performance, is perhaps more considered here. There are 11 tracks, the pianist on acoustic piano except for the West African inspired ‘Lumen’ where he plays a Yamaha CP4. The group covers a lot of ground from Patitucci's ‘Ballad for a Noble Man’, with Sachi Patitucci on cello, through compositions with outside asides to a highly creative rethink of Shorter's classic ‘Dolores’. Children of the Light at least succeeds in providing evidence Pérez can do ‘thoughtful’ as artfully and considered as anyone, but he is at his best when his swirling energy and creativity of his playing can convince you he's the most exciting pianist alive – let's hope this wonderfully creative group aspire to that on their next album together.