Longstanding associate of Brad Mehldau, Mark Turner and Wolfgang Muthspiel, to name but a few, Grenadier has the kind of pedigree that would make him a suitable candidate for the demanding task of a solo double-bass set. As he has shown on countless recordings, he is a very strong player with an enviable technique and an ability to enhance an ensemble without overpowering it. The best moments of this album actually see him play with a similar sense of measure in order to blend composition and improvisation in an organic, unforced way. That said, this is an album where sound explorations, from the beautifully grainy drawl of the arco to the concise patchworks that Grenadier builds through sparingly but effectively used overdubs, also catch the ear. One of the strongest suits of the record is the choice of covers, which include songs by Gershwin, Muthspiel and Grenadier’s vocalist wife, Rebecca Martin. Top of the list though is a very imaginative segue of John Coltrane’s ‘Compassion’ and Paul Motian’s ‘The Owl Of Cranston’ that vividly captures the fine gravitas of each piece without forcing the transition between them.