For me it's the new Brad Mehldau Trio double disc "Live", recorded once again at the Village Vanguard in New York. This is the second trio release with drummer Jeff Ballard and all I can say is WOW! I know we don't have many jazz fans here but for Gene, David (who is the guy that led me to Mehldau), and anybody else that digs jazz you really should listen to this. Gene knows who Jeff Ballard is and I believe he's met Jeff too. The guy is a monster addition to the Mehldau Trio and really an amazing drummer. I was blown away by the guy when I saw them live, he is so interesting and creative. Mehldau gives him plenty of room to work on this new disc and now a few years into joining this trio these three musicians (Larry Grenadier is on bass) really cook. Prior to hearing the Mehldau Trio, the piano, bass, drum trio of note as far as I was concerned was Keith Jarrett, Gary Peacock, and Jack DeJohnette...well, the Mehldau Trio is now THE piano trio you have got to hear and see.

Mehldau is known for tackling songs by Nick Drake and Radiohead but this time out he's got an Oasis tune and a song from Soundgarden on the play list. They do interesting things with both songs and he also has a Coltrane song on this one. Honestly, I love this record!