Lynne Arriale: (TCB)

Pianist Arriale, back in Renards for two nights next week, is in good form on this mature celebration of the album's title, offering some of her most lyrical playing, with a sense of dynamics and musical architecture to match. She works at it. Turning and Dance, two of her "Celtic" originals, were in her repertoire here last year, and by the time of this December recording were, like the rest of the material, thoroughly absorbed - hence, too, the rapport she shares with her brilliant colleagues, bassist Scott Colley and long-time drummer Steve Davis. Standouts include Beautiful Love, But Beautiful, It Ain't Necessarily So and Touch Her Soft Lips and Part by William Walton.

Ray Comiskey

Justin Carroll: (IMC)

Launched last Tuesday as part of Dublin Jazz Week, this is pianist Carroll's remarkably assured debut as leader. Leading a beautifully integrated trio completed by bassist Michael Coady and drummer Kieran Phillips, he offers a programme of standards, originals by himself and Coady, and three spontaneous trio creations. The pianist's probing intelligence and distinctive capacity for making the unexpected sound logical, along with his rhythmic flexibility and expressive touch, are a delight. A couple of group performances flatter to deceive, but overall there is much to savour in this splendid debut, including a lively Lunar Landing and a gorgeous ballad, Too Cold For Snow.

Ray Comiskey