Orrin Evans - "...It Was Beauty" (2013)

With It Was Beauty, pianist Orrin Evans presents his seventh Criss Cross leader date, returning to the label for the first time since 2005. The title tells the story: on a reflective, immensely satisfying ten-piece program comprising mainly originals, the 36-year-old Evans - joined by bass titan Eric Revis and master drummer Donald Edwards, both partners of long standing - plays with old soul focus, presenting a deeply personal vision that privileges notions of dynamic contrast, immediately identifiable tonal identity, meaty harmonies, tension and release, and three-way conversation.