When it comes to fluency and speed, few guitarists are as precise, inventive and downright thrilling to listen to, than Pasquale Grasso. The breakneck tempo of his own ‘A Trip with CC’ is a case in point, with Roland and Balla providing unwavering support, plus the occasional snare-drum flare pushing the ideas forward. There’s a bit more headroom in Bud Powell’s ‘Sub City’ that opens the album, and includes some fine bowed work from Roland.

Balla kicks off ‘Cherokee’ at a rapid pace, offering another chance for Grasso to excel in the velocity of his lines, though later, when exchanging eights with the drums, Balla shows that he is not just about support but provides a good solo counterpart to the guitar.

Grasso’s work with singers has shown his talent for ballads, and when the tempo eases for ‘If You Could See Me Now’ he relaxes beautifully into the piece. It’s good to hear old standards including Coleman Hawkins’ ‘Bean and The Boys’ getting a workout, not to mention the easy, funky approach to ‘Bag’s Groove’. By mixing new pieces with standards that don’t appear so often nowadays, Grasso produces a good blend of material across the 14 numbers here, adding up to a highly listenable album.