Superlatives are inadequate - forget weedy minimalism this is a maximalist full flow vision from Milan master Antonio Faraò here with Wayne Shorter Quartet bass great John Patitucci and Brad Mehldau drummer Jeff Ballard. The sum is more than the considerable parts even. If you know Mehldau's Day is Done which was a revelation at the time when Ballard known at that time for his work with Chick Corea entered the fray you know what we mean - Ballard last moved us most on Jorge Rossy ECM gem Puerta back in 2021. And the way Ballard's cymbals have been recorded on this Criss Cross release Tributes is fairly satisfying to say the least. Recorded in the studio de Meudon nestled in the Parisian banlieues in July 2023, eight originals and two standards are the name of the game here.

We loved the version of Chick Corea Now He Sings, Now He Sobs classic 'Matrix' most but everything works as dear reader you will instantly know if this happy day you find this recording. The idea here was spawned by Corea's death three years. We also liked the Michel Petrucciani inspired 'Memories of Calvi'. The tune 'Song For Shorter' was on Faraò's 1991 debut featuring Mwandishi legend Billy Hart - and a real collector's item - Viaggio Ignoto. Other highlights include McCoy Tyner tribute 'MT.' Faraò, given his rapport with the sound of the great Coltrane A Love Supreme pianist, is to play concerts this summer in the McCoy Legends project with the fabulous US band of Steve Turre, Chico Freeman, Avery Sharpe and Ronnie Burrage including the A to Jazz festival in the Bulgarian capital of Sofia on 5 July continuing on to a festival in the Gironde at les 24 heures de swing on 7 July plus further dates.

The Debussy and Ravel loving Faraò has had something like five trio albums before this but it's been a while since his last entitled Domi more than a decade ago and he has also recorded film themed interpretations drawing on the work of Armando Trovajoli on Woman's Perfume, an album that also found him with the great Pieranunzi drummer - the much adored French icon - André Ceccarelli. Antonio Faraò, photo: Marco Glaviano