Since taking over the piano bench previously occupied by Marcus Roberts in the Wynton Marsalis band, Eric Reed has quietly established himself as a force to be reckoned with in contemporary jazz. On Manhattan Melodies he returns with his regular trio of Reginald Veal (bass) and Gregory Hutchinson (drums) for an album of songs that pay tribute to the city so nice they named it twice, New York, New York. While not as splashy or idiosyncratic as some of his piano contemporaries, Reed is an outstanding player privileged with a band that swings with effortless grace and understated muscularity. To his credit, Reed is both captain of the squad and a team player, often allowing his sidemen to shine while he lays low. While many tunes here seem obligatory (his "Harlemania" suite contains "Drop Me Off in Harlem," "Harlem Nocturne," and "Take the 'A' Train,") to the album's theme, Reed also interprets Paul Simon's "59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy)" and Sting's "Englishman in New York" to add contemporary flavor. The album's centerpiece is a smoky-cool Dianne Reeves appearance on "Letter to Betty Carter." Just one of many classy moments on a very classy album. --S. Duda