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The gentle insistence of Blues for Wes and George, Rafferty's tribute to guitarists Wes Montgomery and George Benson, is one of the many stand out tunes from the eleven presented here, all Rafferty originals, as it succeeds in combining the gentleness of the overall tone of the trio with the necessary drive that keeps it above the level of easy listening or MOR.

Similarly Rafferty's facility as a guitarist and soloist built on a deep harmonic sophistication continues to engage even when there doesn't seem to be much happening in a song. While previous albums trading on the use of jazz standards to catch the eye Adam Rafferty here proves that he can produce a tune.

The only real disappointment is the opening track, America, which is described in the sleeve notes as a 'post- 9/11 hymn', and it feels that it's just trying too hard and as a result finds itself steeped in an unnecessary sentimentality. Had it been hidden away elsewhere on the CD I probably wouldn't have noticed but as my first real introduction to Rafferty's songwriting I have to say I was disappointed.

But overall this is effortless engaging jazz and there isn't much praise higher than that. Like chicken soup, simple ingredients combining to make something sublime.

Tracks:
America, Crimson, Object Of Desire, Blues for Wes and George, Tempest, Different Bread, Blues for My Shoes, Bootieology, Hurricane Bertha, Like No Place on Earth

Guitar - Adam Rafferty
Drums - Tomas Fujiwara
Bass - Danton Boller