We reviewed Viewpoint, this classy UK-US trio’s previous outing, in Jazzwise 284 (May 2023) and liked it a lot. Same here. Then it was all Latchin’s originals: now it’s totally Gershwin. No small challenge then, given the umbilical familiarity of these songs and the vast array of previous pianistic versions.

Still, nothing ventured and all that, Latchin’s clarity of line and clever structural variations quickly eliminating any sense of déjà vu.

Taking each piece as an exercise in individuality, viz ‘Summertime’ opening with a blissful reference to Debussy’s Reverie, before Brown’s repeated bass figure and Farnsworth’s cracking rim-shots presage a firm statement of the melody and a full-bodied piano improvisation. These are followed by a pliant Brown solo and a tidy riff to finish. ‘How Long’ is taken slowly, the exposition quite spare, the melody and its harmonies given space to breathe, Farnsworth using brushes, as Latchin revels in his exploration.

‘It Ain’t Necessarily So’ has a bass motif to kick-off before Latchin plays his variations, Brown anchoring everything, Latchin almost percussive, every phrase firmly placed. ‘S’Wonderful’ has a quasi-bossa feel, the rhythmic thrust quite danceable, Farnsworth quick-stepping ably, before the ring-master calls time.

‘They All Laughed’ is a swinger with a neat stop-start structure, Latchin taking a boppish route. His ideas here and throughout are crisp, often fervent but never over-egged. The title number’s re-harmonisation gives it a solidity that is replicated with ‘Love Walked In’, Farnsworth’s drum solo a highlight, and ‘I Got Rhythm’, is also neatly re-thought, Brown delivering swing.

Smartly presented music, the sound superb, the trio on top form. They’re touring from this month onwards, don’t miss them.