Album: John Patitucci Trio, Remembrance, (Universal)

While you can argue about fidelity to the big idea – 11 tunes conceived as tributes to musicians from the past – and, indeed, the point of that idea in the first place, bassist John Patitucci's trio partners of saxophonist Joe Lovano and drummer Brian Blade play so well that the whole thing works anyway.

The group feel is loose yet effective, with Lovano excelling whether he's asked to recall Freddie Hubbard or Messaien in New Orleans, and the leader plays an expertly funky electric bass on a few tunes.