With the playful opening bars of 'Criss Cross', the sublime world of tenor saxophonist and flautist Tori Freestone and pianist Alcyona Mick (plus guest vocalist Brigitte Beraha) is encapsulated through creative intrigue and improvisational dexterity, frequently glinting with mischievous spontaneity.

In Tori Freestone's mathematically challenging 8/11 "Hermetica", Brigitte Beraha's characteristically high, wordless tones intertwine with Brazilian-imbued flute and piano in breathtaking synchronicity, while "Charmed Life" offers a lyrical beauty far from its trio origins as balmy tenor melodies are enfolded by Mick's sensitively rippling undercurrents.

As well as interpreting the inherent quirkiness of "Criss Cross" the spirit of Monk can also be found in Mick's strutting, bluesy promenade, "Strange Behaviour"; and previously conceived for quintet, and then two pianos, her bustling "Exchange" features complex, dancing keyboard figures and vehement conversations with Freestone's soprano. Other tracks include Tori's folk-tune "Press Gang" (from her 2016 release, El Barranco), takes on a new guise, Beraha's emotive vocal elucidating its dark poetry.

"We have great understanding and confidence in each others' playing", enthuses Freestone. "In fact, we sometimes find we've chosen to express exactly the same thing, prompting the mutual question, 'How did you know I was going to do that?!'...We like to accept the challenge of whatever is put in front of us, finding a new way of getting inside the music".

Personnel: Tori Freestone (tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone, flute), Alcyona Mick (piano), Brigitte Beraha (voice - tracks 1 and 8)

Press:

"Elegant, engaging and original music, played with magnificent panache." --All About Jazz ****

"The no-hiding-place exposure of an improvising sax/piano duo is a tough call but the British pairing of pianist Alcyona Mick and tenor saxophonist Tori Freestone make light of it." --The Guardian

"A fine listen." --Bebop Spoken Here

"Wide-ranging, empathetic and quirkily humorous." --Jazz Views