After a run of lightning in a bottle live albums, the Fred Hersch Trio returned to the studio to document the ongoing evolution of his primary ensemble, featuring bassist John Hébert and drummer Eric McPherson. The remarkable album 'Floating' captures the trio in exceptional form, playing with unparalleled rhythmic resourcefulness, ravishing lyricism, and telepathic interplay.

While the album focuses on Hersch's original compositions, two American Songbook standards serve as lyrical touchstones. Propelled by McPherson's clattering sticks, the trio opens the session with an intricately patterned sojourn through "You and the Night and the Music" that builds to a two-handed montuno. The trio closes with a sensuous caress of "If Ever I Would Leave You" and a measured but exacting investigation of "Let's Cool One," continuing Hersch's longstanding tradition of closing most performances with a Monk masterpiece.

The trio's last release, 2012's 'Alive at the Vanguard' was a critically hailed double album that earned the Grand Prix du Disque, France's top jazz award. With five years and numerous national and international tours under their belts, the group has continued to hone its rarefied communion, a creative fission evident on 'Floating'.

Personnel: Fred Hersch (piano), John Hébert (bass), Eric McPherson (drums)