Kaleidoscope

West Coast pianist Lisa Hilton has released a steady stream of post-bop albums since the mid-‘90s. Two things are the case whenever she does—she includes a lot of original material and she’s backed by a killer band. Kaleidoscope is no different. Here joined by bassist Larry Grenadier and drummer Marcus Gilmore, plus tenor saxophonist J.D. Allen on some tunes, Hilton has a light touch at the keyboard that works well for the swirling title cut and adds an eerie subtext when she goes into dark corners of dissonance on “Midnight Mania.” She says she's a fan of both classical music and the blues, and there’s a distinctly earthy but elegant feel to “Bach/Basie/Bird Boogie Blues Bop.” Elsewhere, she offers waltzing folk-music-rhythms to “Sunnyside Up” that brighten things, and she adds some nice spice to a subtle and somber take on Adele’s “One and Only.” Kaleidoscope is a nice showcase for the multifaceted pianist, highlighting her many understated strengths.