Permutation

Enrico Pieranunzi is among the top echelon of European jazz pianists. For this session he plays his originals with veteran bassist Scott Colley and the rising young drummer Antonio Sanchez. "Strangest Consequences" is a tense post-bop opener with terrific interplay by the trio. "Critical Path" alters between a jaunty, playful air and intricate bop, showcasing Sanchez's considerable chops as a soloist. The pianist's "Permutation" has the vibe of a busy urban setting, with Colley laying down an infectious groove. Pieranunzi is at his most lyrical in the bittersweet ballad "Distance from Departure," with spacious playing and terrific, sensitive support by his sidemen. The pianist's breezy, lighthearted "Every Smile of Yours" suggests a clear spring day, played as a brisk waltz. The lonely air of the ballad "Within the House of Night" couldn't be more direct, conveying its sense of longing without a lyric. Enrico Pieranunzi is long overdue to be recognized among the jazz greats of his generation on a worldwide basis. Permutation provides ample justification for his inclusion.