It’s great to hear 3 polished veterans put a new shine on a set of standard gems. (Tea for Two is soooo.. under-recorded). For the unknowing, his trio’s performers are at the heart of contemporary New Orleans music.  Other than a few hints of indigenous grooves, it is unadulterated jazz in all it’s glorious forms- especially in a song like ‘Round Midnight,” written by an obvious influence of Michael’s-Thelonious Monk .  But it is Michael’s careful depiction of the melody that is beautifully refreshing in a time when an iconic composer’s melodies are assumed and there is a rush to improvise.  There is time for that, but it is the neo-harmonic texture and underlying support- sometimes so close to the melody itself- that gives fresh perspective to a classic like God Bless the Child. 
Sophisticated simplicity.  Simply sophisticated.
It's great to hear Michael, Jesse Boyd  and Johnny Vidacovich step out of the shadows of the Crescent City's musical identity and make a real sweet recording in the world of jazz .
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