Peter Martin - In The P.M. (2005)

Peter Martin has a lyrical and lightly swinging style on piano. For this well-rounded set, he is heard leading a piano trio that also includes bassist Reuben Rogers and drummer Greg Hutchinson, doubling on electric piano, taking a couple unaccompanied solos, and, on three numbers, accompanying the pleasant if rather safe vocals of Erin Bode (who is most effective on a sweet version of "It Could Happen to You"). Martin has a likable style that is heard at its best on an uptempo "Never Let Me Go," his complex original "Modern Cacophony," Jesse Davis' melodic "Only in a Dream" (which deserves to become a standard), and a blues-oriented tribute to Ray Brown, "'Ting for Ray." All in all, a recommended set of accessible jazz.