Áron Tálas, who is, even by European standards, an outstanding pianist in the generation of young Hungarian musicians, is a rare exception: though he writes and playes music deeply embedded in tradition, the quality of his music admitted him into the catalogue of BMC Records, which comprises mainly modern productions. In Tálas’s second trio album, tracks with groove, melodies, and full of emotion represent the cream of the world of traditional jazz piano trios.

The title New Questions, Old Answers indicates that once again, Tálas is reluctant to break with his predecessors. Brian Blade, Roy Hargrove, Joshua Redman, Brad Mehldau, the Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Erik Satie, melodies from the Carpathian Basin – this list is merely the surface of the bottomless well from which Tálas draws his inspiration. But what we hear on this album is not the sound of the artists mentioned; it is Áron Tálas, his inimitable cheerfulness, his cheeky humour and optimism, which shines through even melancholy. Indeed, we are even “ear witnesses” to the sympathetic vibes between three good friends, all musicians of high quality.