Alone at the Vanguard Palmetto*****

Fred Hersch's recovery from the drawn-out, near-death trauma of two years ago has already produced an acclaimed trio recording ( Whirl) in 2010. But solo piano, preferably live, probably remains his favourite setting, and this superb new release comes from the final set of a week-long New York gig when, Hersch said, he was "in the zone". There is an air of contained rapture and irresistibly communicative lyricism about his takes on standards ( In the Wee Small Hours, Memories of You) and originals (Monk's Work, Rollins's Doxyand his own marvellous Echoes, Lee's Dreamand Pastorale). Regardless of his subtle liberties of line and harmony, motivic development or two- handed mutual commentary, the results invariably have the satisfying sense of structural and dramatic coherence conferred by the imagination and spirit of a special talent. See palmetto-records.com