Barcelona is his hometown, and Brussels is now his base, but for his fourth album Vila recorded in Brooklyn. The compositions are all his and included is ‘Gym Jam’, the tune that won him first prize in the Dutch Jazz Competition of 2004. The guitarist’s sound and style, as well as his compositions, feel more strongly aligned with the modern conventions on that side of the Atlantic rather than with European jazz – indeed the cover art is of Manhattan and the title comes from Edgar Allan Poe. Generally, the mood is optimistic, despite that foreboding title, with Vila’s clear, round tone and clearly-articulated ideas riding nicely above the trio. ‘Three Days After’ has a rising four-chord rock riff which is just about saved from becoming turgid by the nifty stutter-rhythms that Ballard inserts to break it up. More representative are ‘The Bean’ and ‘Minor Tragedy’, which wind easily through all four instruments, synthesising the compositions and improvisations into pleasing wholes. ‘New Deal’ has a good cruise speed and forward motion, and ‘Air’ is a spacious ballad that gives Weiss some room to solo. Parks is richly expansive whether in support or soloing.