The Criss Cross label has been quietly but firmly stamping its mark of quality on the shifting sands of New York jazz since 1980. Kenny Garrett made his recording debut on the label, Mark Turner recorded Yam Yam, a 1994 classic, and Dave Binney's Glimpse of the Eternal album was a highlight of 2022.

This album, the latest of more than 400 Criss Cross releases, follows the label's tradition of tweaking the jazz mainstream with tasty originals, forward looking solos and a strong group ethic. Led by label debutante, bassist Michael Feinberg, the set delivers tricky time signatures, a strong pulse and Dave Liebman guesting on soprano.

Feinberg's more-than-a- decade of New York dues shows in his high-gloss tone, muscular technique and imperious sense of time. They surface on the unaccompanied ‘Improvisation’, late in the set, but for the most part, they are a firm foundation in support, something to rely upon, and inspire.

The opener, ‘Blues Variant’, renders the blues form opaque through an ostinato bass in 13, altered chords and a flying piano solo from Leo Genovese. ‘Saqqara’ comes next, a sinuous theme with sax doubling flute over a 5/4 groove and then ‘High or Booze’ and ‘The Healing Power of GRITS’, both blues-inflected with sinewy Noah Preminger tenor sax. Dave Liebman's fluent, investigative soprano joins for three numbers mid-set. The album's only cover, a tempo-changing version of Herbie Hancock's ‘The Eye of the Hurricane’, settles on a medium pace, saxophones joust on the spiritual slow burn and ‘Gather Power’ twists and turns with drummer Nasheet Waits on song.