Bear with Moving Forward. Not at all a cryptic puzzle but after a few tracks you will find the code to understand what this trio is about and the album becomes much more convincing. While activities in some of the song titles that refer to the simple pleasure of going out for a walk or such a playful joy as flying a kite may seem nice but a bit dull the level of musicianship and the compositional direction are not. Opening with 'Peace Please' that puns on a Bill Evans song title if not the Satie-esque 'Peace Piece' itself means the Westman trio know exactly what they relate to and their place in the jazz universe is certainly late-1950s and early-1960s modern jazz framed by a modal imperative and the power of the flow generated by piano, double bass and drums within that formidable vehicle.

Later 'Flying Kite' with its slightly darker tones is the best of the early numbers. The sound is reminiscent of the fine Daniel Karlsson trio. The title track is Ahmad Jamal-esque - think the style of a classic such as 'Poinciana'. In the Magnus Gran drum line there is even a similarity with Vernel Fournier's accents circa At the Pershing: But Not For Me.

Recorded in a Gothenburg studio this piano trio has been around since issuing their first record three years ago Stay a while a recording that included the contribution of the singer Maria Rylander who proved highly compelling on the poignant title track. Moving Forward is engineered by famed e. s. t sound engineer Åke Linton and has a crisp definition to its sonics. Magnus Bergström is the trio bassist and contributes a lot to the Mehldau-like charms abundant on 'Leaving Home.'

Swedish language song 'Siv och Gunne' was covered by Monica Zetterlund, one of the few singers to have worked with Bill Evans and has a fine bass solo from Bergström. The final track 'Life Goes On' harmonically links most of all to Westman's roots in Indonesia. Simon Westman photo: simonwestman.com