Though David Hazeltine gets plenty of mentions for his contributions to this new Smoke Sessions release – and Eric Alexander for opening quite a few doors early in his career – I find it strange that there isn’t a single mention of the band that introduced most of us to trumpeter Rotondi, the mainly Criss Cross recording group, One For All, with whom he made at least some 14 albums, mainly in the 1990s, and whose personnel included trombonist Steve Davis. Anyway, Rotondi has moved on and his playing here reflects his new-found Clifford Brown-Freddie Hubbard inspired maturity. Joe Locke’s tasteful ensemble input and solos help give the arrangements a different sound, with Hazeltine’s presence a major plus throughout with sparkling solos and a reharmonisation of ‘Our Day Will Come’. Rotondi brings six originals to the date, mostly named after places he’s visited that have inspired him, like the Japanese ‘Bru Kirusai’ (rough translation: ‘Can I Have a Beer, Please?’), the 12-bar ‘Le Crest’ (for his new home in a French village) and the opening, very busy ‘In Graz’ (dedicated to his new teaching position in Austria). But his best song is the title tune, a heartfelt ballad of great depth. Special mention, too, for his version of Tony Newley and Leslie Bricusse’s seldom heard ‘Pure Imagination’, brought to his attention by the brilliant London- based pianist Jacob Collier. These two are probably Rotondi’s finest moments here.