BY PHIL JOHNSON | SUNDAY 26 APRIL 2009

Welcome to a new piano star. Better known as the long-standing musical partner of Kurt Elling, Hobgood arrives at the top jazz table with this atmospheric album of duets with bassist Charlie Haden plus two solo pieces and three vocals by Elling. 

Like a more human version of Brad Mehldau, he combines a vivid Romantic imagination, evident on a number of limpid ballads, with great time. The singular thump of Haden's bass remains one of the marvels of the age. 

Pick of the album: 'Que Sera Sera': with Haden's tender solo.