Jasper Høiby’s 3Elements is a project, rather than a band as such, and Like Water is its second album following 2023’s Earthness. While those titles connotate the ‘elemental’ theme, the band name primarily refers to Høiby’s fascination with exploring the three components of a piano trio.

This latest threesome draws on the Amsterdam scene where both South Korean pianist Chaerin Im and Dutch drummer Jamie Peet are prominent improvisatory players. They are strong characters, as you need to be around Høiby’s incomparably ear-catching sound, and they prove well able to stick with his often demanding compositions and arrangements.

Despite the new personnel, the overall sound will be familiar to anyone recalling Høiby’s previous trio projects like Phronesis or Plan B though the music never reaches the frenetic heights of the former. Interestingly there is a return to Plan B number 'What It Means To Be Human', a lovely balanced piece, with Im’s gently controlled and plangent piano harmonically enlarging on Josh Arcoleo’s original saxophone role.

Elsewhere she is assertive, almost angry on 'Illusion of Choice' with its fearsomely headlong bass/piano unison, while more controlled on the fluent grooves of the title track. Drummer Peet provides energy throughout, albeit frequently restrained, but his solo opening to 'Reciprocity' allows him a rare moment of flamboyance, eagerly taken. Interestingly there is one brief burst of freedom on the album - the snippet track 'Free Souls' – that hints at another direction this trio could pursue if they chose. But, as Høiby has already stated that he will re-recruit for his next 3Elements album that possibility may have to wait.