The often neglected Cowell, who turns 70 in May, has long had a reputation as a pianist and thinker. His playing in recent years took something of a back seat to his teaching at Rutgers University, but this latest outing confirms his commanding expertise. Initially seeming a little understated (perhaps due to starting out with a jazzed Brahms ‘Intermezzo’), it reveals its qualities gradually. As well as originals such as the title- track and ‘Sweet Song’, and a jazz standard each by Thad Jones and Horace Silver, there are two new pieces distantly inspired by Parker and Monk respectively. The ‘Xmas Suite’, half-way between a medley and a succession of separate seasonal tunes, sounds better than you might imagine, while a short piece featuring thumb-piano works as a change of pace. Anderson and Drummond do everything required of them and more, so though it won’t hit you over the head this is worth investigating.