Rumors -- unlike the Fleetwood Mac rock/pop album with the British variant spelling of the same title -- is Frank Kimbrough's ultimate effort to play music in hushed tones, far removed from bop or anything remotely involved in overt actions. With hefty-sounding bassist Masa Kamaguchi and balanced drummer Jeff Hirshfield, Kimbrough's piano musings are rendered to beautifully wispy and subtle phrasings that stretch beyond simple melody lines into Zenlike trains of thought. While not quite approaching spirit songs, the music is closer to European art music, and is far removed from interpretation of standards. Kimbrough does have discernible influences, as heard during TMI, reflecting Thelonious Monk, Herbie Nichols, or Ornette Coleman, playfully expounding on Coleman's Law Years, while his tribute to Andrew Hill, For Andrew, is harmonically rich and introspective as anything on this set. Using a rhythmically elusive stance during Sure as We're Here or in an interactive but free style for Over, the trio continually delivers music that lies under the surface yet resonates on a purely emotional level. Though always seen as a performer with depth and substance, Kimbrough may have outdone himself with this excellent recording that emphasizes internal energy and soul, demanding a similar or repeat performance at some other time. ~ Michael G. Nastos, Rovi

1		Six
2		TMI
3		Hope
4		Rumors
5		Sure as We're Here
6		Forsythia
7		Over
8		For Andrew