Another courageous step into the future by the tenor saxophonist, who is rapidly becoming one of the most eloquent and innovative on today’s scene. Ever since his debut in 1998 (In Search Of on Red Records), some of us have always felt there was something special about his work and it’s becoming more and more evident with each of his recent leader albums. For whatever reason, cohorts Gregg August and Rudy Royston have been replaced – by the in-demand bassist Dezron Douglas (recently here with Ravi Coltrane) and a new very modern drummer who comes out of the Jackie McLean school at Hartt University, Jonathan Barber. But what really separates Grace from its trio predecessors is the inclusion of a quite extraordinary pianist. Born in a Russian province but raised in Kansas City and a performing child prodigy since the age of 10, Eldar Djangirov adds a totally different dimension to JD’s music. While the leader’s blues-deep improvisations are as free as before, he gives Eldar almost as much space for his own highly individual rumbling solo explorations, which somehow compliment and never clash with JD’s direction and the tunes are now five to six minutes in length, as opposed to three with the trio. This is an important record by musicians who, if they continue together, could open up exciting new horizons. As it’s now over a year since this session, the follow-up could hold the key. Watch this space!