In the old days a trumpet quartet on a record date was unusual. Miles Davis recorded a quartet disc, but he more often preferred to augment his group sound with a saxophonist. Clark Terry recorded in a quartet with Thelonious Monk, and Freddie Hubbard with Herbie Hancock, but such dates are generally rare. (All right, I won't neglect to mention Lester Bowie's flying-trapeze duos.) Maybe it has something to do with the trumpet's perceived timbral and pyrotechnical limitations, but, in any case, in Scott Tinkler's hands, there are no such limitations.

Tinkler is not recording in a quartet, but with even less of a net: this disc is a trumpet trio with bassist Adam Armstrong and drummer Simon Barker. Armstrong is incredibly strong, and Barker can be either a thrashing, incendiary presence ("A Moment in the Garage") or a skittering, whispering punctuator ("Subject to Non-Refundable Confiscation").

Both spur Tinkler to extended melodic explorations and ruminations on this series of seven generally shapeless palettes for improvisation. It's a heavy burden for the trumpeter to take on, extending improvisations of variety and dramatic force over the full length of the disc. But this disc never palls, and its overall effect is nothing short of extraordinary. This is improvised music of the highest order. Tracks: Mirror Mirror / Subject to Non Refundable Confiscation / Magic Music Man / A Moment in the Garage / Southern Charm / Sofa King / Serendipity Personnel: Scott Tinkler (trumpet), Adam Armstrong (bass), Simon Barker (drums).