Typical quintet albums often have a hidden figurative switch that directs and lean us inevitably towards the pianist’s left hand.

Rising Grace (ECM, recommended) is neither typical nor routine. There isn’t just an apparent single centre of gravity. Power points instead pulse and beam from all around.

Led by a guitarist it is trumpet that dominates rising above while the ensemble built around Driftwood rallies to win in the end down below. Extravagantly accomplished trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire alongside the Jarrett of his generation, Brad Mehldau, boss bassist Larry Grenadier and Wayne Shorter drummer Brian Blade quietly quietly are sidemen to the highly aesthetic Austrian guitarist Wolfgang Muthspiel, above. Manfred Eicher produces the album, which was recorded at the ‘Saturday Morning’ studio in France earlier this year.

Akinmusire enters the sound world of Kenny Wheeler that you indeed might be right to speculate exists. But no kidding Sherlock, there is also a Wheeler tribute piece ‘Den Wheeler, Den Kenny’ included. In the sharing Ambrose has the lovely self-deprecating tone in common with the much missed composer. Mehldau contributes a leader-name-checking tune called ‘Wolfgang’s Waltz’, not rocking Amadeus. The rest is conversation, other compositions are by Muthspiel, the quintet elegantly exploring an exposed world of interiors that fold back to draw the outside deep within.

Listening link to the title track.