Convergence In + Out***

On her fine previous CD, Nuance, this pianist's playing was undergoing a gradual shift in emphasis. Fired by Anthony Pinciotti, the relentless but remarkably responsive drummer from that album, that shift is more pronounced on her new release with Omer Avital (bass/oud) and, on five tracks, the muscular tenor of a Bill McHenry especially impressive on two of the best performances, Here and Nowand Convergence. But on both, notably the former, the real core is the explosive chemistry of the trio. Arriale retains her trademark motivic approach to soloing, but with Pinciotti around she is an even more adventurous, assertive and percussive player. It's a process in transition, so a programme of originals and imaginatively reworked pieces by Sting, Harrison/Lennon, The Rolling Stones and Blondie still offers much melodic lyricism for her fans. See inandout-records.com