Ondas

The delicately voiced ostinato that opens this New Zealand jazz pianist’s memorable 1981 album borrows a bit from both Philip Glass\' tonal palette and Bill Evans\' restraint. Those two influences perfectly situate the set within ECM’s stark-but-gorgeous roster, though the rhythm section’s engagement with the pristine chill of Nock\'s piano is what makes *Ondas* so distinguished. Bassist Eddie Gómez’s approach—full of subtle bent notes and speedy, feather-light runs—provides the pianist/composer with a sophisticated foil. And drummer Jon Christensen knows just when to propel and when to provide softer accompaniment.

At the time of this recording, New Zealand's Mike Nock was one of the great, unsung pianists in European stlyed jazz.