By the time of Evening Falls, guitarist Jacob Young had already played with the who’s who of European jazz. For this self-styled group, he assembled some of his favorites: trumpeter Mathias Eick, Vidar Johansen (primarily on bass clarinet), bassist Mats Eilertsen, and drummer Jon Christensen. From the robust delicacy of “Blue” alone, the influence of teachers Jim Hall and John Abercrombie shines through. His bandmates are resolutely present, folding in on his tunes like waves overlapping along a shore. Balance is key here, as is unembellished quality of the writing. Easily listenable without being easy listening.

– Tyran Grillo