Victor Gould - Earthlings

On his sophomore leader CD and Criss Cross debut, pianist Victor Gould presents a diverse, well-paced program comprised of originals and a cohort off-the-beaten-track numbers from the Great Jazz Songbook.

He's joined throughout by bassist Dezron Douglas and drummer Eric McPherson, with guest appearances by Tim Warfield on soprano saxophone, Godwin Louis on alto saxophone, and percussionist Khalil Kwame Bell.

Gould has spent consequential time apprenticing in groups led by such modern masters as Donald Harrison, Ralph Peterson, Terri Lyne Carrington and Wallace Roney, and you can hear it in his fresh, harmonically erudite approach to the repertoire, which he addresses - and inhabits - on its own terms of engagement while retaining an entirely 21st century perspective.

Personnel: Victor Gould (piano), Dezron Douglas (bass), Eric McPherson (drums) Guests: Tim Warfield (soprano saxophone - 1/3/7), Godwin Louis (alto saxophone - 5/7/9), Kahlil Kwame Bell (percussion)