One of Finland's most exciting jazz talents, Joonas Haavisto is perhaps best-known as a collaborator with the likes of singer-composer Susanna Aleksandra (2021's superb The Siren) and guitarist Jukka Tolonen, as well as work with his own Trio; Lithuanian Kestutis Vaiginis, meanwhile, has led his own groups and has worked with a diverse range of musicians, including Russian bassist Boris Koslov and Polish trumpeter Piotr Schmidt.

This talented pair's musical history goes back to 2006, when they met in Lithuania at the Jazz Improvizacija (a major piano competition, which Joonas won that year). Ever since, they have rehearsed and performed together, establishing a strong musical connection – as evidenced by this splendid album. The beautifully-recorded (and packaged) Moon Bridge is, as far as I'm aware, their first studio recording, but the 16 years of playing together before entering the studio has really paid off.

There's a crystalline stillness to this music in its use of space, wispy but insistent melody, and sacral tone, but dig deeper and you'll find an assertiveness and confidence to the duo's playing, both solo and with each other, that lifts this from 'good' to 'remarkable'.

The original compositions are outstanding: Joonas' ominous 'Zenobia' is powerful and pulsating, while Kestutis' 'Random Moments' and 'One Of Those Full Moons' are wonderful explorations of the textural possibilties of sax and electric piano. 'Waiting' is delightful dancing gossamer, 'Opener' contemplative and 'Bonus Track' sparkles like sunlight through a fountain. A cover of Wayne Shorter's 'Miyako' is simply exquisite, and the take on Billy Strayhorn's warhorse 'Lush Life' takes the tune to places even its composer probably wasn't aware of. A magnificent album full of great writing and musicianship.