The latest in ECM's Old & New Masters series of box sets brings together Corea's Piano Improvisations Vol 1 and Vol. 2 from 1971 plus Children's Songs from 1983. In 1971 Corea had never explored solo piano on record, saying he was not sure what the outcome might be. He needn't have worried. The two volumes of Piano Improvisations are essential Corea, key items in his discography that sound as fresh today as when he recorded them. It is easy to forget that in 1971, Corea was still an emerging talent – just two years before he had topped the “Talent Deserving of Wider Recognition” for piano in Downbeat's Critics’ Poll and was still establishing his career. But listening to his playing on Miles Davis: Live at the Fillmore East recorded in March 1970 just a year before Piano Improvisations it is clear his talent had developed exponentially from Now He Sings Now He Sobs from 1968. Around the corner, in 1972, would be the classic Return to Forever (ECM), so Piano Improvisations represents a musical photograph at a key point in his fast developing career, revealing what an imaginative and resourceful pianist he had already become, as well as a stunning melodist. Children's Songs come from 1983, twenty in all plus “Addendum” and while not having perhaps the brashness of the younger man of Piano Improvisations, is revealing of a more reflective Corea content to work with even the simplest of melodic fragments to creative effect.