The ease with which the leader traverses warm, avant- lyricism, fast freebop, plaintive ambient tones or soft squealy Kenny Wheeler-like interval-shifts, seem ever more effortlessly fluid as the years pass. Often low-key, but in Ralph Alessi’s world, every sound counts. 

The simpatico interaction between Alessi and Weber is formidable. Likewise, the interactions between Oester and Hemingway never fails to impress. “Its always now” is one of my favorite recordings thus far in 2023. Recommended

Christian Carey, Sequenza 21