Simon Goubert and Sophia Domancich made strong impressions when they played at Elton Dean's benefit a few years ago. These two CDs confirm their talent but also offer music that has the potential to appeal to a much wider audience. Both musicians write well and produce tunes that are strong melodically and stick in the memory. More than that, they know how best to present their music. DAG is their regular working trio with rated bassist Jean-Jacques Avenel. The handful of tracks with saxophonist Dave Liebman may be the most immediately striking but are so because they show how adeptly this group moves from the quiet intensity and intimacy of their usual mode of operation to include another musician. It is like a flower opening in sunlight. By contrast, the trio tracks draw one in more slowly into a world that is simultaneously private but welcoming. Goubert's CD as leader, Background, is no less compelling and the quality of the interplay within the sextet is matched by compositions and arrangements that are both accessible, yet modern and contemporary.