Crueller critics may dismiss Hiromi as a ‘stunt’ pianist, blessed with an extraordinary technique that can express a boggling array of ideas and influences. But there is considerably more to the composer than fleet fingers and that backcombed mane. Her third release with Phillips and Jackson finds the trio well bedded down, comfortable but never smug with each other; there's more space afforded to the individual voices, and a deeper, richer conversation shared between them. Yes, sometimes you wish she'd keep it simple, with songs like ‘Player’ running through such a gamut of styles you feel like a frog in blender, not knowing which way to jump. But with the passing years, Hiromi's developing a subtler soul, as on the elegiac, solo ‘Firefly’. And although she's no Dr Billy Taylor, she invests ‘Spirit’ with a gospel shout that turns it into a sweaty stew of a showstopper. Hiromi and her trio are most definitely Alive and very well indeed, thank you.