Music

The collaboration between iconic guitarist Pat Metheny and sublime probing pianist Brad Mehldau is jazz’s latest dream ticket (a sort of M ’n’ M if you will). Metheny’s fleet lyricism is perfectly complimented by Mehldau’s innate desire to dig around the heart of the tune. While we miss the subtle oddness of Mehldau’s own music their extravagant empathy and evident joy in each other’s company mark this out as more than just a ‘big name’ outing. Indeed, their luxurious, twangy chamber jazz swings more here than on last year’s duo album and our only caveat is that Metheny should have left his bloody guitar synth at home.