Interesting how this colour saturated record unites Jorge Rossy and Jeff Ballard. Why so? Partly because of their Brad Mehldau connections, Rossy (vibes on Puerta) was the drummer in the hugely revered Mehldau trio in the 1990s and early-2000s. Ballard followed him in the almost as revered and yes probably even more acclaimed trio with Brad and Larry Grenadier. Ballard before Brad was known back in the day for his work with Chick Corea. If you go out to hear new generation players on the UK scene like the brilliant James Maddren, superb with Emma Rawicz last week in the Vortex, you will know that Ballard is influential on some of the finest to follow his lead. Ballard's mastery of the ride cymbal is world class for example in a trio setting certainly for coiled power and his mastery of fills and for sheer stamina in the heat of the improvisation goading piano to do more and more. Vibes trios are relatively rare at least compared to their piano trio cousins so that is also an interesting aspect of this record, Rossy plays like Steve Nelson a little first listens suggest. I can think of no higher praise than to invoke Nelson's name. Robert Landfermann completes the originals-packed Puerta line-up and Marlbank readers will know the fine double bassist from Ascent. The superb 'Post-Catholic Waltz' issued, as is Puerta, by ECM – is streaming