You're far likelier these days to find the ex-Guildhall young pianist Sam Braysher's version of jazz played in a hotel bar than in a jazz club. Or in a film like La La Land played by a pianist with the word ‘loser’ tattooed on his forehead, perhaps. But don't let that put you off. Conversely, it's a middle finger salute to the current prevailing attitude that says jazz has a responsibility to move ahead and cater for a new generation. Braysher is just doing his thing in any case and this is an enjoyable recording in duo with US pianist Michael Kanan on the Barcelona-based label Fresh Sound – no irony intended here as Jordi Pujol's fantastic little label made the earliest recordings by Brad Mehldau, The Bad Plus and Robert Glasper no less! In one way at least he has a refreshing approach: Braysher prefers looking back to the original song source – a Broadway show, film or dance band tune – for inspiration rather than the classic modern jazz interpretations. So ‘Dancing in the Dark’ has something of crooner Al Bowly as well as Lester Young (note, who did the same thing as Braysher) and cool school-era Lee Konitz, the latter being his most obvious role model. On the Irving Berlin waltz medley, the New York-based pianist and long-time Jane Monheit accompanist Kanan sounds like he's been listening to Ray Noble as well as Lenny Tristano, who is also the inspiration for the altoist's version of the lesser known Bird original ‘Cardboard’.