Ode

It’s good to hear pianist Brad Mehldau return to the trio format on 2012’s Ode. It’s his first release with his trio since 2008’s Live, which included several covers, including versions of Soundgarden’s “Black Hole Sun” and John Coltrane’s “Countdown.” On Ode, Mehldau the composer is in the spotlight. All of album’s 11 tracks are original, never-before-released compositions, and several are tributes. Bassist Larry Grenadier and drummer Jeff Ballard, who appear on Live, return here, and this group is formidable. “M.B.,” a high-energy nod to the late saxophonist Michael Brecker, opens the album. Grenadier and Ballard swing in unusual ways as Mehldau integrates blues feeling and striking harmonies. The jaunty “Twiggy” features percussion from Ballard that surprises at every turn. “Bee Blues” evokes Thelonious Monk's playful angularity, while “Kurt Vibe” (the title's a reference to guitarist Kurt Rosenwinkel) cruises along in a strange, funky way. The album closes with “Days of Dilbert Delaney,” a catchy song that displays Mehldau’s pop leanings.