An album called Hard Bop, led by a drummer sounds like a cue for a Jazz Messengers tribute act. In fact, Eric Binder's third CD delivers a tightly-argued trio set featuring solid Petros Klampanis bass and the ubiquitous Walter Smith III on tenor sax.

Binder established his credentials as a neat modernist drummer on his previous album, The Malcolm Cecil Project. That album featured London-born bassist Malcolm Cecil and saxophonist Eric Frahm romping through a set of covers. Here, the tunes are originals, Smith is a model of articulate precision and Binder's loose-limbed pulse follows in the tradition of Elvin Jones.

The melodious first notes of the album opener ‘Trane Ride’ locate the album's roots in the trio recordings Sonny Rollins made in the late 1950s. There are two blues-based themes, ‘Blues Jawn’ and ‘BFTF’, both taken at a medium lope. Here, the mood is smoky, the harmonic root shifts once the solos begin and Smith grabs the listener's attention by his sustained trains of thought. Elsewhere, the playful theme of “Luna” sits on nicely strummed double bass, the ballad ‘To Be Alone’ is as downbeat as the title suggests and the album ends on a pensive note with ‘Metallic Sky.’

None of the themes are substantial, but the rhythm section is sure-footed and Smith really stands out for his concise phrasing and warmth. Great for fans of Walter Smith III, but playing time, at under 30 minutes, is short.