Cedar Walton is a legendary pianist whose broad range stretches from bop to contemporary, with credits including Art Blakey And The Jazz Messengers' "Anthenagin" ('73). After releasing this album's companion piece "Beyond Mobius" ('76) on RCA, he leaned heavily into jazz-funk/fusion right up until the early '80s. On "Mobius" he's joined by technically formidable players like Ryo Kawasaki (guitar) and Steve Gadd (drums). Five tracks, each one packed with substance: a jazz-funked-up Coltrane cover, "Blue Trane" (sample_1); a supremely deep Thelonious Monk cover, "Off Minor" (sample_2), whose tight arrangement lets every player's chops shine; the salsa-flavored "Soho" (sample_3); and the vocal-led bossa jazz of "The Maestro." Above all, Steve Gadd's killer drumming and Cedar Walton's flowing Rhodes/synth work will grab your ears. A thrilling fusion of R&B, funk, blues and hard bop. (Original Japanese text by AYAM)