Better Angels [LP], Peter Bernstein, Vinyl

Vinyl LP pressing. 2024 release. Bernstein convenes an all-star quartet for his stunning release, BETTER ANGELS, featuring pianist Brad Mehldau, bassist Vicente Archer, and legendary drummer Al Foster. It would be accurate to say that the quartet that Peter Bernstein has assembled for his remarkable new album is making it's debut, but it would also be more than a little misleading. While it's true that this all-star group - which teams the acclaimed guitarist with pianist Brad Mehldau, bassist Vicente Archer, and legendary drummer Al Foster - had never played together prior to recording BETTER ANGELS, it's members all share deep and long-standing relationships. The result is the best of both worlds: striking interplay that can't help but thrive on the chemistry generated by the various connections, combined with the high-wire energy derived from delving into the unknown. BETTER ANGELS extends that combination of the comfortable and the unfamiliar to Bernstein's choice of repertoire, which pairs thoughtfully selected standards with bold new original compositions.