Now in his mid-40s, Denson is a respected San Francisco educator and stand-up bassist, with an enviable CV as sideman and bandleader. While Brian Blade has had an even more storied career in such capacities, French guitarist Romain Pilon may be less well-known (despite the press release quoting Jazzwise in praise of him). Responsible, along with Denson, for the attractive original material on their second trio album, Pilon is an all-encompassing stylist capable of surprising (but not particularly flamboyant) single-note lines and unexpected chordings that don’t imitate one predecessor yet sound very much in the contemporary mainstream of adventurous and inventive guitar.

Given the technical excellence of all concerned, it’s pleasing to report that this 10-track recital is not restricted to one mood and there’s a variety of time-signatures involved throughout – even involving some relatively “free” improv on ‘Wishing Well’. The fact that no fewer than three pieces are inspired by family pets – two dogs and a cat, the 5/4 tune dedicated to Denson’s schnauzer being also released as a single – shouldn’t be held against the players, since this music would be equally captivating without knowing the background.