It's been a great year for prominent features on significant albums to showcase the vibes - first Joel Ross' excellent Nublues on Blue Note; then the marvellously adventurous Jim Hart Cloudmakers Trio release A Drop of Hope in the Ocean of Uncertainty on Whirlwind. And now, perhaps the least challenging album of the three - not that edginess matters in the least because what is created works on its own terms - the latest word from one of the global masters of the instrument, Steve Nelson, who turns 70 this summer. Heard in trio mode playing standards with such aplomb in the company of Dutch bass and drums team Joris Teepe and Eric Ineke A Common Language was recorded at the Prince Claus Conservatory in Groningen last October where Nelson and Teepe both teach. Indulge yourself at length with their take on 'Bags’ Groove,' 'Satin Doll' and so many more evergreens. Monk's 'Well You Needn’t' and a lasting favourite of ours, Freddie Hubbard's evocative 'Up Jumped Spring' - introduced to the world on Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers' Three Blind Mice album issued on the United Artists Jazz label in 1962 - also figure. Gently swinging, full of interesting elaboration as Nelson goes into the interstices of the tunes to find new nooks and crannies, it's all an easy going but never dull stroll down memory lane spread over 2 CDs. Issued on the Daybreak imprint of venerable Dutch jazz indie, Timeless. Bags this quick.

Safe as Milt, l-r: Eric Ineke, Steve Nelson, Joris Teepe. Photo: press