Shock! - Gareth Williams Power Trio - Evening Standard

Discount the overheated title. The only shock here is to find a quality album like this popping out, crocus-like, in a climate barren of mainstream radio or TV support. Williams, a sparkling acoustic and electric pianist in post-Herbie Hancock mode (check out his version of Giant Steps) also writes fine originals (Zed Blues, A Welshman in New York) and never plays an ill-considered phrase. Drummer Ian Thomas and bass-guitar virtuoso Laurence Cottle, a partnership forged by hundreds of gigs, complete an intelligent, propulsive hour of unhistrionic jazz.