Some may lament Kenny Kirkland's replacement by John Taylor in this band, something like Vitous' third quartet recording on ECM. But Taylor fits superbly, interlacing with a band that now has a very European feel without Kirkland's Blue-Notey brio. Instead the band feels freer, more melancholy, but also more delicate: compositions are looser, except perhaps the highly structured filigree of Surman's winsome ‘Tess’ (Hardy's Tess was a much tougher cookie than Surman suggests). But in Christensen's light cymbals and Vitous' dark-toned bass we have a sure-footed accompaniment. Vitous' own ‘U Dunaje U Prespurka’ has an equally folkloric feel but digs a tougher, even malignant vibe. It's interesting to compare to the Surman/DeJohnette duo of the previous year that is altogether more self absorbed and ‘knowing’ in tone. Much of Journey's End is also a lovely precursor to Norma Winstone's current work with Gesing and Venier, which of course is haunted by the spirit of Taylor.