Jason Moran's "Ten"

It has been a while since Jason Moran's last CD release, 5 years in fact.  "Ten" is a straightforward trio recording, with the same sidemen as he has been working with for quite a while now, Tarus Mateen (bass) and Nasheet Waits (drums).  It is a quite reflective affair, a number of originals, but with a Thelonious Monk tune, a Leonard Bernstein tune, and a couple by Conlon Nancarrow (1912-1997), the communist American composer who became a Mexican citizen.  Nothing too groovy or modern (like "Planet rock") but there is an eerie track called "Feedback Pt 2" with electronic peeps that sound like crows - very effective.  The Nancarrow tracks are interesting and have the same title ("Study No. 6").  Then there are also a couple of tribute tracks to (as they died recently) and written by Jaki Byard and Andrew Hill.  It is a varied and intriguing collection and is highly recommended and like all of Jason Moran's music, it gets better the more you listen.  It would be good to see him play in London but it doesn't look like he will be dropping by on his current tour.  He was part of a great Dave Holland Quintet at the Barbican last year.