London pianist Barry Green has done his time as a sideman par excellence, but judging by his own recent releases, it's time to lead. Almost There is a companion disc to his 2015 release, Great News, also recorded in New York in January 2014 recorded in New York in January 2014, and it was clearly a fertile few days.
The first disc was a free-wheeling piano-saxophone-drums trio which revealed a subtle, forward-looking musical mind at work. Almost There is similarly impressive, a loose-limbed, spontaneous piano trio outing, with the Rolls Royce rhythm section of bassist Drew Gress and drummer Tom Rainey.
The 12 tracks – half originals, half standards – include a dedication to drummer Paul Motian and inquisitive readings of Lulu's Back in Town and Bouncing With Bud. More required.
