Gareth Williams pf Palle Danielsson bass Chris Laurence bass Martin France drums

Miles Music MMCD090

British jazz pianist Gareth Williams is a near-contemporary of two better-known pianists, Liam Noble and Jason Rebello. Surprisingly, his first major professional engagement was as keyboard player/MD for jazz hip-hop band Us3. He was later long-time MD for singer Claire Martin and has worked with many visiting Americans. But albums featuring him as leader are rare – the last was in 2008.

It seems he has been reluctant to record as leader in a straightahead jazz context – but with this excellent album he finally does. He is supported by two fine bassists who divide duties between them, Palle Danielsson and Chris Laurence, and by master percussionist Martin France. The album features ten excellent originals by Williams, and two standards.

Williams is a characterful stylist, and the album is immensely enjoyable. Stylistically I'm most reminded of the late John Taylor, and there's the same dual influence of Bill Evans and McCoy Tyner, characteristic of the postbop mainstream – it's clearest on the solo piano ‘Who Can I Turn To?’ Improvisers aren't always the greatest composers, but in Williams the two abilities are combined. His originals often carry hints of other songs, for instance ‘Giant Steps’ on ‘Derivatives’. ‘Buster Keaton’ is plangent, while on the pleasing ‘Too Young to Go Steady’, Williams sings and accompanies himself solo. Highly recommended.