While riding high as a member of Joshua Redman's quartet, pianist Aaron Goldberg released his sophomore effort, a date featuring Reuben Rogers on Bass and Eric Harland on drums. Over the course of seven originals and two covers, Goldberg stays within the post-bop mainstream but displays an emotional and technical range that is well worth repeated listens. He emphasizes the versatility of the blues form on "Isabella Meets Wally," "MAO's Blues," and an intriguingly mellow version of John Coltrane's "Equinox". He also offers a not at all banal reworking of Stevie Wonder's "You Are the Sunshine of My Life" and is at his pensive best on "Todd's Dream", a solo interlude that segues directly into the reflective "P.B.& J." All the while his rhythm section exhibits a great deal of dynamic control, which includes riotous incitement when it's called for. Smart, fiery, swinging.

Impressionism drives the jazz piano trio. Aren't we all storytellers? Listeners' interpretations can vary, and that's what makes art special. Just let yourself go.

On his second recording as leader, Aaron Goldberg unfolds seven original stories and two classic pieces. His trio works in close proximity, with an intuitive feel. There's a fair amount of freedom for each artist. Bass and drums provide independent lines that complement the pianist's thoughts. Goldberg, 27, shares a thorough understanding of the blues, Latin rhythms, harmonic placement, and woodshedding keyboard mastery. And he swings! Before studying with Betty Carter, the pianist graduated magna cum laude from Harvard with a degree in History and Science. His concentration was in Mind, Brain, and Behavior.

John Coltrane's "Equinox" opens with a dreamy landscape that allows plenty of space for the trio to reflect. Gradually, they move into open territory with a cool drive. All three contribute fresh interpretations. Like most of the session, this one ebbs and flows through changing moods. Goldberg's originals paint placid scenes that contain little ripples here and there. "MAO's Blues" is a tribute to friends Marc and Omer, a bassist and a drummer. "You Are the Sunshine of My Life" takes off with restrained passion. It's a quiet album, full of introspection, and free enough to allow your thoughts to follow their own course.

Track Listing: Sea Shantey; Isabella Meets Wally; If and Only If; You Are The Sunshine of My Life; Todd's Dream; P.B. & J.; MAO's Blues; Second Chance; Equinox.

Personnel: Aaron Goldberg- piano; Reuben Rogers- bass; Eric Harland- drums.

I've heard a number of masterful young pianists recently, and here's another one. Like any perceptive keyboard artist, Aaron Goldberg writes poetry with his fingertips, evoking the same feelings of warmth and desire, sadness and joy that are common to the written or spoken word. Unfolding, Goldberg's second J Curve album, consists of seven of his compositions, John Coltrane's "Equinox" and Stevie Wonder's "You Are the Sunshine of My Life." It's a picturesque and eventful journey on which he's accompanied and inspired by longtime friends and associates Reuben Rogers (bass) and Eric Harland (drums). Goldberg, as we observed in a review of his first album, Turning Point, "plays with remarkable maturity and insight for one so relatively young" (he's still in his mid–20s) — and it should be noted that he writes that way too; his compositions are as bright and sophisticated as they are charming and accessible. They include ballads ("If and Only If," the brief but lovely "Todd's Dream," "Second Chance"), blues ("Isabella Meets Wally," "MAO's Blues") and captivating tone poems ("Sea Shantey," "P.B. & J."). Goldberg does "wonders" with "Sunshine," approaching the familiar melody from an acute angle before turning it into a quasi–bossa, while "Equinox," the "first payment in an eternal debt to the composer," is treated respectfully, almost reverentially, which is as it should be. Rogers has a tasteful solo there, as he does on "Isabella Meets Wally," while Harland unlimbers the heavy artillery to converse with Goldberg on "MAO's Blues." When not soloing, Rogers and Harlend give Goldberg a spacious comfort zone in which to maneuver, and there are no audible lapses by any of them. As was the case with Turning Point, the studio session is quite well recorded with remarkable clarity and balance, but the 48:24 playing time is less commendable. Aside from that small complaint, a marvelous second album by an exceptionally talented young musician.

UNFOLDING is a memorable CD collection of original jazz music written and performed by pianist Aaron Goldberg, accompanied by the talented sounds of Reuben Rogers on bass and Eric Harland on drums. 9 Selections are on the CD.

With the exception of John Coltrane's "Equinox" and Stevie Wonder's "You Are The Sunshine Of My Life," all other selections are composed by Aaron Goldberg. "Second Chance," "If And Only If," and "Isabella Meets Wally" highlight the style and technique of Aaron Goldberg fully, each song a revelation of the excellent piano performances this young pianist is capable of and succeeds fully at. In fact, any song on this CD collection reveals Goldberg as a topnotch jazz pianist, capable of many surprises and innovations at the piano.

If you want to hear a new jazz pianist at the start of a brilliant career, check out the sounds of Aaron Goldberg on his new CD titled UNFOLDING. You won't be disappointed. You will be pleasantly surprised, and amazed at the mood and colors this pianist gives to contemporary jazz piano music.

A winner in any language! Aaron Goldberg and Reuben Rogers and Eric Harland make UNFOLDING into a listening event, full of verve and imagination. Excellent solo work abounds in this collection. This is one you will want in your home library!