If Paradise really is as Harrell paints it, then he'll have to share it with any number of eager takers. This is a beautifully balanced programme, swapping loping small-group workouts on Harrell themes with beautifully arranged selections which bolt a string quintet and harp to his basic jazz group. Harrell swaps between trumpet and flügelhorn, bringing bags of soul to both instruments in turn as well as his usual fluent but refreshing inventiveness. One of the pleasures of any Tom Harrell date is that you can feel and hear him thinking through his improvisations, rather than simply lining up pre-digested phrases that happen to fit over a certain chord sequence. That gives the listener the pleasure of trying to anticipate and constantly getting it wrong: Harrell invariably comes up with something better than expected. Saxophonist Jimmy Greene isn't on Harrell's level, but has plenty of spirit, while the tracks that feature drummer Leon Parker have an added zip and élan. Back in the 1970s gifted musicians used to make dates like this for CTI's Creed Taylor, combining poise and fire. They're regarded as classics now. This will be soon. --Keith Shadwick