I missed out on Barron's debut album What's In Store (reviewed in Jazzwise 214) done with the same rhythm-section plus guitarist Colin Oxley, On his latest, the pianist certainly justifies his reputation as a mainstay of the London scene and a carrier of the flame for straight-ahead trio jazz. This must be the first new album in a while (as opposed to reissues) where seven out of 10 tracks are from the popular songbook, all of them American except for ‘Pure Imagination’. Interestingly, many usually heard as ballads now have more upbeat, rhythmic charts with subtle reharmonisations of the heads, typical of someone like Cedar Walton (for whom Barron has avowed admiration). His crisp touch is a joy too, perhaps recalling Tommy Flanagan and enhancing the energetic piano lines, while his original ‘Evidently’ almost evokes Bud Powell. On the rare occasions he risks running out of steam, or if the arrangements sometimes tend towards the fussy, the collective contributions of Brown and Morrison ensure a pleasurable listen.