The latest releases reviewed.

PAUL BOLLENBACK Invocation Elefant Dreams ***

Bollenback is an accomplished guitarist, and this may be his best album yet. Like Kenny Burrell, one of his major influences, Bollenback is a remarkably consistent, high- level performer who somehow gives the impression that he already has the answer to any question he may pose. It's a mixed blessing but, as with Burrell, it means that other musicians have to be on their toes. Here it's Randy Brecker (trumpet), Ed Howard (bass), Vic Lewis (drums) and Chris McNulty (wordless vocals), in a mix of trio, quartet and quintet settings, performing two standards, and originals by the guitarist, Coltrane and James Williams. Brecker is strikingly lyrical on Williams's Alter Ego and Bollenback's rubato After the Rain, while the guitarist shines in some lovely trio performances on an album that is the epitome of superior craftsmanship. www.elefantdreams.com RAY COMISKEY

KEVIN BRADY & BILL CARROTHERS Common Ground Living Room ****

Carrothers is such a major talent, it's not surprising the pianist had such a galvanising impact on drummer Kevin Brady's trio (with Dave Redmond on bass and John Moriarty on guitar) when they toured earlier this year. It's evident in the resultant studio recording; in the wryly imaginative recasting of By Myself; in the inventive quartet treatments of Bemsha Swing and Little Niles, especially the way the waltz's bridge section is used; in the gorgeous piano intro to the ballad, Goodbye Mr Munch, with possibly the best guitar solo of the album; and in the stunning piano solo on Red Cross's venerable rhythm changes. Above all there are two rather special trio performances: Wayne Shorter's other-worldly Waterbabies and a sublime Yesterdays. Carrothers doesn't do coasting and, to their credit, neither do this trio. www.livingroomproject.com RAY COMISKEY

LIONEL HAMPTON Basel 1953 TCB ***

Hampton's early 1950s band was packed with talent: the priceless Clifford Brown, Art Farmer, Benny Bailey, Quincy Jones, Jimmy Cleveland, Buster Cooper, Benny Powell, Gigi Gryce, Tony Ortega, Alan Dawson. But, as this previously unreleased concert recording shows, it functioned mainly as a backdrop for Hampton's (admittedly skilful) vibes solos, with a predictable repertoire and much crowd- pleasing stuff thrown in; no wonder Brown and others often sneaked off to play and record elsewhere when the band was on tour. Only one trumpet solo (on Flying Home) sounds like Brown. There are few notable contributions from the rest of the trumpets and trombones, and none at all from the reeds, so it lacks even historical interest except for Hampton fans. www.musicconnection.org.uk RAY COMISKEY