Jackson, born in the Philippines when his father was there in the military, grew up in Boston and was educated musically at Berklee before making for Paris and the company of other African-American expatriates. Not noticed by the Grove Dictionary of Music, according to discographer Tom Lord, he has quite a discography, fringing the worlds of blues and bop, and this new trio collection is issued on his own label.

Jackson has facility and can find pleasing patterns to play – how deep his improvisationalaspirations are may be questionable given what he offers here. The opening track, ‘Brandy’, with an uncredited organist added, grooves pleasingly, echoing all those Blue Note albums of yesteryear. Elsewhere, he tends to rely on repeated phrases and seems to edge into George Benson country at times, but mercifully without vocals. Jones can play boogaloo rhythmsto the manner born and ex-Wynton bassist Wolfe is a powerful force.

Speaking of Jackson, journalist Scott Yanow said: "His music always swings" and so it does. Mind you, given the staccato treatment Jackson dishes out to ‘Moose The Mooche’, even that may in doubt. His ballad reading of ‘This Nearly Was Mine’ is accomplished as is the pretty ‘The Secret Garden’. Good to hear in a club, maybe: limited appeal elsewhere.