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BRAD MEHLDAU Elegiac Cycle (Warner Brothers) State of the play from the top New York pianist. This solo debut from the thinking bard of modern jazz is both plaintive and profound. There are some big themes here; romanticism, history, lament. All are united under the heading of Memory-collective and personal. 'Bard'(read Brad), which opens and closes the album, states and summarises the themes while 'Lament For Linus' neatly recaps Mehldau’s Art Of The Trio series, recently completed. Each track stands alone but, like the cycle of the title, the sweep and the depth is best appreciated if regarded as a whole. This is a seamless journey through early-modern space and time-passionately executed-and with not a little New York irony! Skilful, intense, thoughtful. Its all here. Highly recommended. Michael Berne The Study-Remuera, New Zealand. Click on album image to see larger album cover 
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