It’s familiar, yet not . . . As always, John Stein gently pushes the familiar into unfamiliar territory. The performance is accessible, yet challenging. It’s the subtle insurrection of John Stein’s music that slays me . . . Stein surreptitiously inserts rhythms, melodies, and, well, insurrection, in a way that seduces you. His touch on the strings is lyrical, graceful, and emotional. The keyboard . . . demonstrates Daniel Grajew’s incredible rhythmic sophistication, as well as his soulful, melodic sense, and is propelled by the deep grooves created by the rhythm section (John Thomas, from the liner notes).

John Stein, guitar; Daniel Grajew, piano & keyboards; Teco Cardoso, alto flute; Frank Herzberg, acoustic bass; Zé Eduardo Nazario, drums.

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