TOUCH AND FLEE

THE GENESIS of this album from British jazz pianist Neil Cowley was a quieter concert moment when he noted the effect of the quiet on the audience. According to The Guardian he ditched a planned album of the kind of jumping jive jazz his trio has built its reputation on and recorded Touch And Flee. Two notable tracks are Kneel Down and Bryce – simple, spacious and stunning meditations between bass, piano and drums – while Sparkling soars on a repetitive piano melody and the free-flowing Queen recalls early Keith Jarrett. One of this year’s more pleasant discoveries.