Eon

Eon is pianist Richie Beirach’s first leader date. It might also be his best. The balance he achieves with bassist Frank Tusa and drummer Jeff Williams (the powerful rhythm section behind Dave Liebman’s Lookout Farm from the year prior) is of a magnitude all its own. Exhibit A is the trio’s 14-minute extrapolation of the Miles Davis/Bill Evans chestnut “Nardis.” After a lush rendition of Dave Liebman’s “Places,” the album exclusively takes on Beirach’s originals (hat tip to Tusa’s solo in “Bones”), culminating in the stylish “Mitsuku.”