Although the Swiss Arbenz twins have toured and recorded with the likes of Greg Osby, Dave Liebman, Marc Johnson, Kirk Lightsey, and Bennie Maupin, collaborating with their childhood hero Ron Carter was at another level. But far from being overawed in the company of one of the true giants of the music, they just happen to number among the top echelon of European jazz musicians. Even Carter, who is not noted for bestowing praise on musicians unless they match his own ferociously high standards, acknowledged they were both “very talented.” Which is praise indeed from the Master. Pianist Michael clearly passed the test with his sophisticated harmonic voicings – mostly rootless so as not to class with Carter’s lines – a beautiful touch that permits cleanly articulated lines and a melodic imagination that seems brimming with ideas. A case in point is his masterful reharmonisation of Duke Ellington’s ‘It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)’ – which according to Carter was probably the first time he has ever recorded the song. This produces the kind of piano work you have to return to: great voicings, a beautifully articulated solo with Carter and his brother locking in behind him, it’s worth four stars alone. Brother Florian is a musician first and a drummer second with a rhythmic feel within which he works to enhance the playing of others. He also contributed three of the four originals on the album, Michael one, plus the reharm of the Ellington tune and Jerome Kern’s ‘All the Things You Are’. It seems Carter enjoyed the session – indeed, flanked by the Arbenz brothers on the album cover, he’s actually smiling.