Unwind: Embers (Rattle/digital outlets)

Many decades ago in a conversation-cum-interview with the New Zealand-born, Grammy winning arranger, composer and pianist Alan Broadbent, he spoke of an important lesson he has learned: that the spaces between were just as important as the notes themselves.

The space or silence allowed the notes the chance to breath and have more life of their own.

It's a lesson which can be learned by listening to Bill Evans or late-period Keith Jarrett.

The Unwind group of pianist/composer Norman Meehan, saxophonist Hayden Chisholm and bassist Paul Dyne – all players with considerable individual pedigree – arrive at this album with a sense of space for contemplation.

These 12 pieces – all written by Meehan bar Chisholm's Wright Way – possess the kind of quietude found in spiritual music (Jarrett's The Melody at Night, With You, Tony Scott's Music for Zen Meditation, Charles Lloyd at his most refined) and titles offer some clue to contents: Good Friday, Great Spirit, The Rapture of Prayer, The Sign of Peace (a hymnal composition).

There is calm and stillness here and the drummerless setting allow the melodies to float, almost untethered.

Previous Unwind albums -- some with drummer Julien Dyne -- have explored this territory a little, but here it all comes together in a consistent vision of quiet, almost holy, reverie.

Feel the space.

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You can hear and buy this album at bandcamp here.