Nearly 50 years ago, the Germans were quick to recognise emerging British talent – no doubt partly because of their jazz scene having a better infrastructure than, say, the French or the Italians. So, it’s not surprising that MPS pounced upon John Taylor, almost before the release of his debut small-group album Pause, And Think Again (produced by John Surman for the Turtle label). This exemplary trio effort shows the leader’s piano work all of a piece with his writing and, at a comparatively early stage of his career, there’s a strong air of Herbie Hancock in both his conception and his execution (specifically ‘White Magic’, which also appeared in a sextet version on Pause, and reminds me of Herbie’s ‘Eye Of The Hurricane’). Levin and Laurence play less dominantly than their American counterparts might have done, but they are fully responsive and collaborative in the sections that veer towards the free. The freshness of the whole LP-length programme (reissued on vinyl as well as CD) is a reminder of how much Taylor is missed.