There are few piano trios who achieve what Tord Gustavsen has already in terms of concision, hush, and a generous provision of the ancient and modern within his art.

A master of cadence and weaver of dreams if Gustavsen is ever able to make such an album as the spell The Ground manages to cast still it will be a wonder. In bassist Sigurd Hole, above right, at last he has found for the first time a player in that role as close in spirit as it ever may be possible to Harald Johnsen’s, who left us far too soon. On The Other Side, an Oslo studio album recorded as recently as January, replete of Bach, lullabies, and originals, he comes tantalisingly close.