Here's a working group, eight years together, their avowed intent the re-imagining of familiar standards and jazz classics, hence the album's title. An earlier release, recorded in Japan as was this one, came out on bassist Yasukagawa's own label, this time it's another bassist, the UK-based Michael Janisch who's taken the plunge on his burgeoning Whirlwind imprint. Aside from their role in keeping this repertoire alive, and that's worthwhile in itself, it's also their interest in keeping a swinging pulse uppermost that seems so likeable. But this is swing with a distinctly contemporary feel, viz ‘It Don't Mean a Thing’ opening as a solemn exposition, deftly re-harmonised and re-grooved, as Armacost's piping soprano pushes boundaries, the bass lines and Jackson's crunching drum patterns as propulsive as you could want. Berkman impresses throughout, energy personified, nothing predictable, his extemporisations packed with ideas. ‘The Maze’ showcases the complete quartet, with Yasukagawa's Mingus-like intro and solo preceding terrific tenor from Armacost, full-toned and driving, before Jackson's multi-faceted solo. ‘When You Wish Upon A Star’ opens as a piano ballad before Armacost relaxes and takes it on, keeping the melodic shape in mind, Berkman chording behind him. Then it's ‘Autumn Leaves’ in a modified latin format, tenor uppermost, over a scrambling rhythm section. And so it goes, each song re-voiced with today's vocabulary very much in mind, modern mainstream if you will, the group interplay exhilarating throughout, each man giving their all in typically New York fashion. Their versions of ‘Misterioso’ and ‘Ah-Leu-Cha’ are fresh and relevant, but still deployed with a of care for the composer's original intentions. How good it would be to see this band here on tour.